Are SRA Act amendments pro-builder?

Mumbai: The Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) chief can sanction a slum redevelopment project on any encroached land without it being declared a slum by the collector, as per the amendments proposed for the SRA Act. Earlier, a plot had to be declared a slum by the collector before the SRA chief could sanction a slum redevelopment project there. The bill was  passed by the Council on Thursday amid criticism  from some that it is allegedly pro-builder. There is currently a Bombay high court ban on new constructions.

The BJP government led by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, has initiated some important amendments in the SRA Act. As per earlier provisions, the SRA chief could sanction a redevelopment project on an encroached land, and one, which has been declared a slum by the collector, after following procedure. This included steps like census among others. But this process would take many years and has many hurdles, according to sources from the housing
department.

Now these changes may well prove to be a blessing for buil-ders, who are facing hurdles following the high court ban on new constructions due to the garbage disposal issue. The HC has allowed only redevelopments projects. Due to the amendments, SRA redevelopment projects on encroached land can be sanctioned without hurdles due to the enhanced power that the SRA chief enjoys.

According to sources, this is being alleged to be a pro-builder move by the government with an eye on the 2019 elections. Now builders stand the chance of getting sanctions for redevelopment projects faster.

Congress spokes-person Sachin Saw-ant criticised provisions of the bill saying, “It will benefit builders. The previous SRA chief, Vishwas Patil had cleared many projects illegally but still the government decided to give more powers to SRA chief.”

Shiv Sena MLA and group leader in the legislative council, Anil Parab too opposed a few provisions of the bill. “The government should first prepare a plan for redevelopment and study its impact on the city purely from the infrastructure angle.”

However, BJP Mumbai chief, Ashish Shelar welcomed the bill and refuted all these allegations.

“At present, 1,513 SRA schemes are going on in the city and 4.41 lakh new homes will be constructed which will give lakhs of people their dream home,” he  said.