With a view to make Maharashtra slum-free by 2022, the state government has proposed amendments to the Maharashtra Slum Areas Act that will give more teeth to the Slum Rehabilitation Authority to ensure stringent implementation of the scheme.
“The government has proposed certain amendments to the Maharashtra Slum Areas Act, 1971 to introduce stricter provisions and fix time frames. These amendments will ensure that the SRA takes pro-active steps to implement the scheme in a very transparent and effective manner,” SRA Chief Executive Officer Aseem Gupta said.
The government is trying to simplify the eligibility criteria for slum dwellers as well as the procedure to seek their consent to ensure hassle-free implementation of the scheme, he said.
Besides, the SRA will also have the powers to elect a developer in cases, where there is conflict of interest on both the sides–slum dwellers and well as the developers.
“The existing scheme has certain loopholes, which were misused by both the parties. However, the amendment intends to simplify the procedures and ensure there is not conflict of interest. In such cases, SRA will intervene and elect a developer,” he said.
