Deputy CM Eknath Shinde Announces Revised Bhogvata Abhay Scheme; Relief for 20,000 Buildings and Over 10 Lakh Residents in Mumbai

Nagpur, Dec 2025 : The Maharashtra government has extended significant relief to Mumbai residents facing legal and financial challenges due to the lack of Occupancy Certificates (OCs) over the past several years. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced the launch of the Revised Bhogvata Abhay Scheme in the Legislative Assembly, which aims to regularize around 20,000 buildings in Mumbai. This initiative will directly benefit over 10 lakh residents who have long been deprived of OCs.

Addressing the Assembly, Deputy CM Shinde highlighted that the state government has been actively transforming Mumbai over the past three and a half years, taking concrete steps to safely secure residents within the city while also honoring the rights of original Mumbaikars who had moved outside the city.

Key Benefits of the Scheme

• Relief for 20,000 Buildings and 10 Lakh Citizens: Many buildings in Mumbai were unable to obtain OCs due to minor deviations from the original approved plans. Residents of such buildings have been paying double property taxes, water charges, and sewerage fees due to the lack of legal recognition. The revised scheme will provide relief to more than 2.5 lakh families, benefiting over 10 lakh residents.
• Simplified Property Transactions: With regularized OCs, residents will no longer be burdened with excessive property taxes, and obtaining bank loans for buying or selling properties will become easier. Housing transactions will gain momentum, allowing owners to receive appropriate market value for their properties.
• Rehabilitation and Redevelopment Benefits: Residents will now be able to fully utilize the area rights of their buildings during redevelopment, which were previously limited to the approved map. Additionally, legal uncertainties related to municipal actions will be resolved.

Incentives and Timeline

• For proposals under the scheme, a 50% discount will be provided on premiums charged for additional or fungible areas based on prevailing rates.
• Proposals submitted within the first six months will not attract any penalty, while proposals submitted between six months and one year will be subject to a 50% penalty.
• Individual apartment owners within a building who seek OCs independently will also have a separate procedure established by the municipal authorities, ensuring flexibility and inclusivity.

Broader Impact

• The revised scheme is not limited to residential buildings; it will also benefit hospitals and schools stuck in the list of unauthorized constructions, providing substantial relief to the healthcare and education sectors.
• The government plans to extend this policy to other municipal corporations across Maharashtra, with the Urban Development Department tasked with submitting a detailed report on its implementation.

Deputy CM Shinde urged Mumbai residents to take full advantage of the revised Bhogvata Abhay Scheme, emphasizing that the initiative aims to resolve long-standing legal and financial difficulties while promoting orderly urban development.

Team Maverick