Despite being the only state in India with a dedicated housing scheme for mill workers, Maharashtra has so far been able to allocate homes to just 10% of the total mill workers awaiting for houses.
The Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA), the nodal agency appointed by the state government, is currently conducting a special, time-bound campaign to determine the eligibility of 1,50,484 mill workers and their heirs under the Mill Workers’ Housing Scheme.
According to officials, the campaign has received an overwhelming response. As of now, 1,12,434 applications have been submitted both online and offline. Of these, 99,136 applicants have been found eligible, with scrutiny of the remaining still in progress.
However, under various lottery schemes conducted over the years, only 15,490 flats have been allotted to eligible mill workers — accounting for just over 10% of the total number of mill workers and heirs identified.
The housing scheme is designed to provide rightful shelter to workers and their families affected by the closure of Mumbai's once-thriving textile mills, many of whom have waited decades for a permanent home.
Meanwhile, discontent among workers continues to simmer. On Wednesday, July 9, mill workers staged a protest at Azad Maidan, demanding expedited housing allocations. Political leaders, including Uddhav Thackeray and members of opposition parties, extended their support to the demonstrators.
Officials say the campaign is ongoing and more allocations are expected in future lotteries, depending on the availability of housing stock.
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