The Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) has made significant strides in addressing public grievances during its fifth Lokshahi Din held on Monday. Sanjeev Jaiswal, Vice President and CEO of MHADA, personally presided over the session, reviewing nine applications and issuing directives for prompt resolution of each case.
The applications reviewed during the session were diverse, with seven pertaining to the Mumbai Board, one to the Mumbai Repairs and Reconstruction Board, and one associated with the Pune Board. Among the issues discussed, two cases stood out for their complexity and the urgency of their resolution. One notable case involved a resident who had purchased a MHADA flat in 2007 but had not paid a portion of the sale price. Over the years, this had resulted in a late fee of INR 7.5 lakh.
The applicant, requested a waiver of the accrued interest. Jaiswal directed MHADA officials to thoroughly review the case documents and prepare a proposal to potentially waive the interest, aiming to alleviate the financial burden on the applicant. Another significant issue was raised by a beneficiary of the 2014 flat lottery who only received possession of his MHADA flat at Nakshatra Cooperative Housing Society, Dahisar East, in 2023. Despite receiving the flat much later, Mehta was charged maintenance fees dating back to 2014. Jaiswal instructed officials to investigate this concern and develop a fair proposal to adjust the maintenance fees, ensuring that charges are applied from the date of possession rather than the date of the lottery win.
Jaiswal expressed dissatisfaction with the prolonged delays in addressing citizen grievances and stressed the importance of implementing more citizen-friendly policies. He emphasised that MHADA must prioritise public welfare and streamline its processes to resolve issues more efficiently. Jaiswal mandated that a detailed report on the actions taken in response to the applications be submitted within the next 15 days. He also directed that any pending issues from previous Lokshahi Din sessions be resolved expeditiously. This proactive approach by MHADA aims to enhance transparency and responsiveness in handling public complaints, reflecting a commitment to improving housing and infrastructure services across Mumbai and Pune.
