NAGPUR: Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced on Saturday that the “Nagpur model” for granting ownership rights will be implemented across Maharashtra. This initiative aims to allow thousands of residents to live with dignity, shedding the stigma of being labeled “encroachers.”
The announcement was made at a function in his Nagpur South-West assembly constituency, where ownership documents were distributed to beneficiaries. Fadnavis emphasized that this initiative responds to a long-standing demand from citizens who have been living in slums for decades.
“For 30–40 years, slum residents have sought ownership documents, only to be ignored. Today, these documents do more than provide legal standing; they restore dignity, recognition, and self-respect. Beneficiaries will no longer face the stigma of being encroachers,” he stated.
Around 1,000 individuals received ownership documents on Saturday, with an estimated 2.5 lakh people set to benefit once the scheme is fully operational. The Nagpur model creates a structured method to grant ownership rights to residents on both government and private land through the Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) framework.
“These aren’t just papers. These are legally bankable documents that permit beneficiaries to secure loans and genuinely become owners of their land,” the Chief Minister remarked.
The initiative also extends to Sindhi refugees who migrated from Pakistan decades ago. “We are finally addressing the sense of displacement that Sindhi refugees have endured for years. This is a move toward justice and dignity,” Fadnavis added.
He also announced that beneficiaries living in makeshift huts would receive financial support under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana to build permanent homes. Around 50,000 individuals are anticipated to benefit from this aspect, with 25,000 applications already completed and the rest under processing.
However, refugees from former East Pakistan who settled in Gadchiroli, Gondia, and Bhandara districts have yet to receive ownership benefits. Approximately 40,000 Bengali families in Gadchiroli alone still live without legal land ownership, despite residing in the area for decades. Many now hope the Nagpur model will include them as well.
Fadnavis clarified that the scheme has been formalized through a government resolution and will be enacted across Maharashtra, excluding areas governed by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority, where Slum Rehabilitation Authority norms are in place. He stated this initiative signifies not just legal reform but a significant stride toward social empowerment and inclusive urban development.
