MHADA has reserved flats in Lower and Middle Income Group categories for sitting or former MLAs and MPs; says there is a provision for the same under its 1976 Act
Which economic category do sitting or former MLAs and MPs belong to? MHADA thinks they fit into the Lower Income Group (LIG) and Middle Income Group (MIG) category, for availing flats under the lottery system.
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The housing authority has reserved flats at Goregaon, Borivli and Powai for the sitting and former members of parliament and state legislature. Representative pic
The advertisement issued by the housing authority, inviting application for lottery of over 972 flats in Mumbai, has reserved 8 flats in LIG and six in MIG category for sitting and former MLAs and MPs. As per MHADA regulations, a person earning between Rs 25,000 to Rs 50,000 is eligible for flat under LIG section, while those earning between Rs 50,001 to Rs 75,000 can apply for flats under the MIG quota. An MLA is paid R75,000 per month, inclusive of all perks and salary of the personal assistant.
Every year, MHADA invites application for allotment of flats under its affordable housing scheme. As per its rules, there is 2% reservation for sitting and former MLAs, MPs under the scheme. This year too, the housing authority has invited application and has reserved flats at Goregaon, Borivli and Powai for the sitting and former members of parliament and state legislature.
With citizens raising their eyebrows over inclusion of MLAs and MPs for affordable housing, former MLA and urban planning expert Chandrashekar Prabhu stated there is nothing wrong in having such reservation for public representatives. “But, it is the government which should ensure that these schemes aren’t misused,” he added. Prabhu was hinting at many cases where politicians rent out flats they’ve received under such schemes.
Going by the rules
MHADA maintained that the provision for reservation of flats for public representative is according to the MHADA Act of 1976. “It is the applicant who has to decide in which category he or she fits. If no application is received for any particular reserved category, then the number of flats under that section are thrown open in the general category, but in the next lottery,” Vaishali Wagh, chief public relation officer, MHADA said.
Rs 75,000
The average salary an MLA in Maharashtra per month
Rs 25,000
The minimum salary required for a person to belong to the Lower Income Group category
Rs 50,001
The minimum salary required for a person to belong to the Middle Income Group category
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