With the state assembly elections around the corner, the Mahayuti government has announced a significant allocation of ₹1,500 crore for housing Mumbai’s textile mill workers. The funds will be drawn from the Maharashtra Niwara Nidhi (Shelter Fund), designated for providing homes to the urban poor. This marks the largest allocation ever made for this purpose, highlighting the political importance of mill workers as a considerable vote bank in the upcoming elections.
Funding and Implementation
The Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) will utilize the allocated funds to construct housing units for mill workers. According to the government resolution (GR), each housing unit, measuring 300 square feet, will be located in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region and is estimated to cost ₹15 lakh. Of this, the mill workers will contribute ₹9.5 lakh per unit, while the state government will cover the remaining ₹5.50 lakh. The government’s share will be split into three parts, with contributions coming from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the Maharashtra Niwara Nidhi, and the state budgetary provision.
The ₹1,500 crore from the Niwara Nidhi will be deposited into a separate account for its intended use, as outlined in the order. A senior government official revealed to the Free Press Journal that such a large allocation has never been made before, underscoring its political implications as the families of mill workers represent a substantial voter base.
Background and Historical Context
Textile mill workers were once the backbone of Mumbai’s industrial sector. Housing for these workers has long been a pressing issue, particularly following the closure of 58 mills after the historic 1982 strike. In response, the state devised a policy to allocate one-third of each mill’s land for worker housing.
MHADA has been instrumental in implementing this policy. To date, 15,000 houses have been allotted to mill workers across various locations, and construction of 147 more units is underway in Byculla. After conducting a survey, MHADA found that 1.78 lakh mill workers had submitted applications for housing, out of which 78,000 were deemed eligible. Approximately 18,000 houses have been allotted so far, with 14,000 workers taking possession.
Pending Allotments and Future Plans
Currently, 2,500 houses in Panvel and Kon are ready for allotment but have yet to be handed over to workers. Land parcels from 11 textile mills in Mumbai are still pending acquisition by MHADA, with a proposal awaiting state government approval. This latest allocation is seen as an effort to expedite the provision of housing to mill workers, addressing a longstanding demand and, potentially, securing a crucial voter demographic in the upcoming elections.
The government’s decision to fast-track this funding comes as a strategic move just days before the announcement of the state assembly election schedule, expected in the first week of October. With the political stakes high, the allocation is poised to have both immediate and long-term impacts on Mumbai’s socio-political landscape.
