Slum dwellers to get property rights in poll-bound Odisha

BHUBANESWAR: With an eye on the sizable vote bank of slum dwellers ahead of the urban polls early next year, Odisha government has decided to enact a law for their rehabilitation, giving them property rights to stop eviction.

The Odisha Property Rights to Slum Dwellers and Prevention of New Slums Bill, which was cleared by the state cabinet last night, will benefit slum dwellers who constitute about 25 per cent of the urban population in the state.

Housing and Urban Development Secretary Injeti Srinivas said once the bill becomes a law, slum dwellers would have right over the place where they have been living over the years.

They would be given accommodation in apartments and could be provided houses after shifting them to certain places, according to the provisions of the proposed legislation.

"Mandatory reservation of 10 per cent of built-up area for economic weaker sections and low income groups housing in all apartments and group housing schemes is also part of the bill," Srinivas said.

A state Slum Redevelopment and Rehabilitation Authority with the chief minister as the chairperson would function as the state level apex body for effective implementation of the proposed law.

"Out of around 70 lakh urban population in Odisha, slum dwellers constitute 25 per cent. Of the 8 lakh people in the state capital, over 3 lakh live in slums," Srinivas said.

Odisha would be the second state in the country after Jammu and Kashmir to bring such a legislation, he said.