Has the Maha government formed a committee to secure land ownership rights for the Sindhi community?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- The Maharashtra government has formed a committee for the Sindhi community's land rights.
- Properties will be surveyed and classified as Class 1 by May 15, 2024.
- Key officials will be involved in the committee's formation and operations.
- Funding for the survey will come from municipal sources.
- This initiative reflects the government's commitment to supporting its communities.
Mumbai, July 14 (NationPress) In response to the longstanding requests from the Sindhi community in Ulhasnagar, Maharashtra, state Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule announced on Monday the establishment of a committee tasked with surveying all properties held by the Sindhi community as of May 15, 2024, aiming to classify them as Class 1 properties.
This pivotal decision was made during a meeting convened at the Revenue Minister’s office in Vidhan Bhavan, attended by key figures including MLA Kumar Ailani, MLA Sulbha Gaikwad, Settlement Commissioner Suhas Diwase, and other relevant officials.
The committee will comprise the Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation Commissioner, Thane District Collector, and the Superintendent of Land Records (SLR). Its primary role will be to survey properties in Ulhasnagar and compile a detailed report for the government.
Minister Bawankule remarked, “The Sindhi community in Ulhasnagar has been seeking legal recognition of the lands they have occupied for many years. The government is committed to supporting them. We will act swiftly to implement this directive.”
He also noted that funding for the survey will be allocated by the Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation Commissioner to the Settlement Commissioner, with an official notification regarding the survey process to be released shortly.
According to a revenue department officer, following the minister’s directive, the procedure to legally register the lands occupied by the Sindhi community in Ulhasnagar as Class 1 will begin promptly. The survey expenses will be covered by funds from the Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation, and the government will make a conclusive decision based on the committee's findings.
In the meantime, the minister highlighted that the Revenue Department has initiated plans to consolidate all government offices in Ulhasnagar within a newly constructed administrative building.
Located 26 km from Thane city in Thane district, Ulhasnagar is part of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region and is overseen by the MMRDA.
As per the 2011 Census, the city has an estimated population of 5,06,098.
Ulhasnagar is also served by a suburban station on the central line of the Mumbai Suburban Railway.