Proposal to end CM's 2% MHADA quota gets boost

Taking note of the MHADA flats lying vacant under the chief minister's discretionary quota, Satish Gavai, MHADA CEO and vice-president, has called for the allocation's abolition and has decided to talk to the state government regarding the same.

Not a big draw: Unlike earlier years, the crowd was thin at Rang Sharda auditorium, Bandra for the lottery results yesterday. PICs/ Santosh Nagwekar, Sunil Tiwari

MiD DAY in its Wednesday edition had reported that under the CM's quota 130 flats have been accrued in two years, and have not been allotted yet. "Till when will we keep the flats vacant? The government should soon take a call on it, so that we can bring these vacant flats under the lottery scheme, and allot it to common people," said Gavai, while speaking to MiD DAY at the lottery results at Rangsharda, Bandra yesterday.

Satish Gavai, MHADA CEO

According to sources, Gavai has even sent a proposal to the state government asking it to rethink the allotment of flats under the MLA and MP quota. "Many MLAs and MPs apply for flats under the Lower Income Group and Economically Weaker Sections. These allotments go vacant, as most of them do not fall in the category. Hence, the VP decided to ask the government to curb MPs and MLAs from applying in these categories. They can still apply in MIG and HIG," said a senior MHADA officer, on condition of anonymity.

At the lottery function held at Bandra's Rang Sharda auditorium yesterday, there were a lot empty chairs, as the Bharat bandh deterred many aspirants from coming to the venue. But for Ganesh Khot, an accountant, who turned up for the lottery, it was a lucky day. Khot who was selected as a jury member for the lottery (selected from the common public) was thrilled, as his name appeared in the winners list and was allocated a flat at Malad-Malvani under the LIG category. "I always used to think that the lottery was rigged, but now that I have won, I can proudly say that the lotteries are conducted free and fair," he said. Khot currently stays in a rented home in Borivli, paying a monthly rent of Rs 5,000. He will have to pay Rs 19 lakh for the flat he won.

Similarly, for MHADA employee Renuka Bhople, who won a flat, it was a dream come true. The house she won will cost her Rs 48 lakh. She and her husband, also a state government employee, were looking for a home in Panvel. "We now have a flat at Magathane, Borivli. Owning a flat in Mumbai where the rates are so high makes me feel happy. Finally I have a home here," she said.

Meanwhile, next year a total 4,272 homes would be available in the lottery. Of this 1,836 homes will be allocated for LIG, and 850 MIG homes in Virar would be made available. Apart from this, 1,786 homes would be available in Mumbai. There will 51 MIG homes in Kole-Kalyan, 119 LIG homes in Charkop, while D N Nagar will have 288 EWS homes, Tunga Village in Powai will have 282 EWS homes, 688 LIG homes and 164 MIG homes. Also there would be 178 EWS homes in Mulund, and 16 MIG homes in Kurla. This means no flats will be made available under the HIG group.u00a0