Mumbai, Sep 2026 : Guardian Minister of Mumbai Suburban District and Minister for Electronics, Information Technology and Artificial Intelligence and Cultural Affairs, Adv. Ashish Shelar, has directed officials to expand the Abhay Scheme to extend its benefits to slum dwellers who have been deprived of the scheme due to the transfer of ineligible slums after the preparation of Annexure-II.
The directive covers slum dwellers whose structures existed before 2000 as well as those from the period between 2000 and 2011.
At present, eligible slum dwellers from stalled rehabilitation projects for which Annexure-II was prepared before 2011 are receiving the benefits of the Abhay Scheme. However, certain categories remain excluded from the scheme. These include slum dwellers who were declared ineligible in Annexure-II but may become eligible under subsequent rules, as well as those who were deprived of the Abhay Scheme because their slums were transferred after the preparation of Annexure-II.
Against this backdrop, Minister Ashish Shelar directed officials to initiate necessary action on an urgent basis to include paid eligible and ineligible slum dwellers from the period between 2000 and 2011 under the Abhay Scheme and extend its benefits to them.
The decision is expected to pave the way for approximately 25,000 slum dwellers in Mumbai who have so far been excluded from the scheme to receive its benefits. It is also expected to accelerate stalled rehabilitation projects and help resolve the long-pending issue of rehabilitation of these slum dwellers.
Minister Shelar further instructed officials to complete the necessary proposals and administrative procedures to ensure effective implementation of the scheme. While extending rehabilitation benefits to slum dwellers, all pending issues relating to eligibility, transfer of slums and Annexure-II are to be examined in accordance with the applicable rules.
The minister stressed the need for appropriate action to ensure that eligible beneficiaries receive the benefits of rehabilitation without unnecessary delays.
The expansion of the Abhay Scheme is expected to provide relief to thousands of slum dwellers who have remained outside the scope of the scheme due to procedural and eligibility-related issues. It is also likely to facilitate the revival of stalled rehabilitation projects across Mumbai and address long-standing concerns surrounding the rehabilitation of affected families.
