Are 5 Lakh Displaced Sindhi Families in Maharashtra Getting Property Titles?

Mumbai, July 30 (NationPress) Maharashtra Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule announced on Wednesday that approximately five lakh displaced Sindhi families, residing in 35 cities across the state, excluding Thane and Ulhasnagar, will receive property titles.

He informed the media that 'Special Abhay Yojana-2025' is set to be launched, which will regularize residential and commercial lands in 30 Sindhi community colonies that migrated post-1947 partition, transforming them into free-hold properties (occupier class-1) by easing existing regulations.

Bawankule highlighted that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has initiated a dedicated policy for the Sindhi displaced community, fulfilling commitments made during the election campaign.

Members of the Sindhi community in 30 colonies, including Nagpur, Jalgaon, and Mumbai, will gain legal ownership of their residences and businesses.

"This initiative will be managed through the Revenue Department and aims to address the longstanding demands of the Sindhi community," he stated.

Moreover, the minister revealed that the state government will host a Revenue Week from August 1-7, 2025, during which actions such as regularizing pre-2011 encroachments on state land, settling farm road disputes, and penalizing lease agreement violations will be executed.

Approximately 30 lakh families are expected to benefit from the state government's decision to regularize pre-2011 encroachments on government lands, a measure approved by the cabinet in 2018 and to be reinforced during the revenue week.

During this week, a survey will be conducted by district collectors to assess if leased government land is being utilized for its intended purpose. In cases of encroachment or rule violations, the land will be reclaimed by the government, as stated by Minister Bawankule.

Simultaneously, the Rashtraneta to Rashtrapita Abhiyan will be launched from September 17 (Prime Minister Narendra Modi's birthday) to October 2 (Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary) 2025.

An app will be developed for revenue officers and employees to log their presence in their designated work areas. A drone survey of each village will be conducted, resulting in a property card issued to every household in rural locales. This initiative is expected to conclude within the next two years.

Additionally, Minister Bawankule mentioned that the government plans to prioritize using artificial sand.

"We will take measures to implement this policy in accordance with the new Standard Operating Procedures (SOP). Workshops and camps will be organized on August 7 to ensure the success of this policy," he added.

According to the government resolution, information regarding appropriate land for M-Sand units on both public and private properties will be compiled and made accessible on the ‘Mahakhanij’ platform for auction. The auction process will cover lands of up to five acres, with a registered undertaking required to establish M-Sand units.

Entities or individuals found guilty of illegal mining or transportation will be prohibited from partaking in the auction.

Proposals must include a 'Consent to Establish' certificate from the Pollution Control Board, a No Objection Certificate from the planning authority, an Industry Base Registration Certificate, and necessary permissions under the Maharashtra Minor Mineral Extraction Rules, 2013.

From an environmental conservation perspective, providing alternatives to natural sand is crucial. Efforts are ongoing to eliminate river sand mining in the future.

At the same time, ensuring the availability of sand for construction and curbing illegal sand transportation are vital priorities. With the new SOP in place, the implementation of this policy is now streamlined, asserted Minister Bawankule.