Maharashtra has expanded the Abhay scheme for residents affected by stalled slum redevelopment projects in Mumbai, widening eligibility for groups previously excluded because of documentation issues, changes in ownership or revised eligibility rules. The decision is expected to benefit approximately 25,000 slum dwellers, state minister Ashish Shelar said on Tuesday.
Shelar, who is also the guardian minister for Mumbai Suburban district, said the expansion would cover residents whose structures or records did not fall within the earlier eligibility framework. The announcement was reported by PTI, which cited a state press release and the minister’s statement.
The Abhay scheme currently provides benefits to eligible slum dwellers living in stalled redevelopment projects where Annexure II was prepared before 2011. Annexure II is used in the slum redevelopment process to record eligible occupants and structures for rehabilitation purposes.
Several categories of residents had remained outside the scheme. These included people whose structures had earlier been declared ineligible but could qualify under rules introduced later. The earlier framework also excluded some residents whose structures were transferred after Annexure II had been prepared.
Under the expanded scheme, slum structures that existed before 2000 will be included. The expansion will also cover structures that existed between 2000 and 2011 where occupants were left out after transfers made following the preparation of Annexure II.
The state government has directed officials to take the necessary steps to examine the relevant records and determine eligibility under the applicable rules. The process will involve reviewing documentation relating to the structures, occupants and transfers before benefits are extended.
The decision is linked to stalled redevelopment projects in which residents have been waiting for rehabilitation while projects remain delayed. The revised coverage is intended to create a route for additional families to be considered under the scheme, provided they meet the applicable eligibility conditions.
Shelar said the expanded scheme would address gaps in the earlier arrangement by including eligible and ineligible slum dwellers from the 2000-2011 period for review. Officials will now be responsible for applying the revised framework to individual records and identifying residents who qualify for assistance.
The government’s next step is the examination of records and the determination of eligibility for residents covered by the expanded categories.
