Will discuss rehabilitation of first-floor slum-dwellers with CM and Dy CMs, says Maharashtra minister

Mumbai: Maharashtra minister Shambhuraj Desai on Thursday said discussions will be held with the chief minister and deputy CMs over the demand to consider first-floor slum dwellers for rehabilitation under the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) schemes in Mumbai.Several members raised in the state assembly the issue that many residents in Mumbai have been living on first floors of slum structures for decades, and excluding them would make the goal of a slum-free Mumbai difficult to achieve.Under the existing rules, only structures on the ground floor are recognised and numbered for eligibility under SRA projects, Desai said, replying to the discussion during the question hour."If any change, such as considering 'one plus one' structures, is to be made, the matter will have to be discussed with the chief minister and both deputy chief ministers. After placing the factual position before them, the department (urban development, headed by Dy CM Eknath Shinde) will take further action as per the directions given," he said.On concerns about builders allegedly entering into agreements with first-floor occupants despite the policy not recognising them, Desai said such agreements are not legally enforceable if they are contrary to existing law."Ignorance of the law cannot be an excuse. If agreements are executed in violation of the law, they are non-binding," he said, adding that if specific details are submitted to the government, the department will examine the matter.During the discussion, Speaker Rahul Narwekar intervened and directed that the suggestions made by members about the inclusion of first-floor occupants be taken on record and placed before the government while considering the issue.Desai said the government will present the situation and the views expressed by members before the chief minister and deputy chief ministers and try to complete the process at the earliest.