Pre 1995 slums to be ‘protected’

Slum transfer policy to protect 4 lakh structures

Clara Lewis TNN

Mumbai: The state government will announce a transfer policy to provide immediate protection to four lakh slum structures, said sources. The policy will fast-track protection to slums as it does not require legislation.
    “In slums where the 1995 cut-off is applicable, structures up to 1995 will be granted protection under the transfer policy. In slums where protection has been granted up to 2000, here structures that have come up till that year will be protected,” said sources. Once the slum bill extending the cut-off date to 2000 for all slums is passed, then protection will be extended to all such structures, said sources.
    Under the transfer policy, residents who have purchased the pre-1995 or pre-2000 slum structures will have to pay in the range of Rs 25,000 to Rs 40,000 to be recognised as bonafide residents. This will make them eligible for free housing when the slum goes in for redevelopment. “When the slum cut-off date is extended, another four lakh slum structures will be protected,” said sources.
    Cabinet minister Naseem Khan said the transfer policy and extension of the slum cutoff date was essential as otherwise a large number of people would be dis-housed.
    “Preliminary survey of the airport slums, where the cut-off date is 2000, revealed that despite the extension, only around 35% would be eligible for rehabilitation. This is because the structures have been sold and resold like other tenements in the city,” he said.
    In a 2003 ruling on a PIL against transfer of development rights, the high court reiterated the 1995 cut-off date shall not be extended further. The government challenged the ruling by a special leave petition in the Supreme Court. It will come up for hearing in April .
HIGHLIGHTS
The protection is being granted as many structures have been sold to people who stand to lose their homes if slums are redeveloped The post-1995, post-2000 families will have to pay a transfer fee ranging from 25,000 to 40,000 to be recognised as bonafide residents.

Forum view: If any slum is on CRZ-1 then how will the rules be applicable? They are illegal irrespective of any cut off date proposed.