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Synopsis

A division bench of the Bombay High Court, comprising Acting Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Arif Doctor, has recently asked the Slum Rehabilitation Authority to set up nodal officers to deal with complaints of slum dwellers for non-payment of transit rent.

“The implications of non-payment of transit rent are serious for the slum dwellers. SRA being the statutory body established for the slum development should take proactive measures to ascertain whether the transit rent is being paid to the slum dwellers. If each slum dweller starts resorting to court process for non-payment of dues, it will give rise to substantial litigation which, in fact, is taking place. Therefore the SRA should set up a Nodal Officer and call for representations/ complaints from the co-operative societies of the slum dwellers if they have grievance of non-payment of transit rent,” the bench observed

The observation was made by the high court while hearing a public interest litigation filed by Advocate Vijendra Kumar Rai who contended that substantial dues were not been paid to the eligible slum dwellers by the respective developers.

The high court also observed that efforts should be made by the Slum Rehabilitation Authority to ensure that the slum dwellers do not approach the court for the non-payment of transit rent.

“Efforts should be made by the statutory authorities that the slum dwellers do not need to approach the courts of law with a grievance of non-payment of transit rent and this is why the SRA should take proactive measures as above,” the court observed.  

The bench also directed the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) to promote this initiative widely and establish a designated telephone number and email address for a Nodal Officer. The court further emphasized the need to publicize this information through newspapers and social media.

The bench granted permission for cooperative societies representing the slum dwellers to lodge their complaints, providing all necessary details, with the SRA. Following the receipt of such complaints, the SRA would take appropriate action to address the issues.

Moreover, the bench highlighted that the SRA should publish the actions taken in response to these complaints on their portal. In addition to individual communications made to the cooperative societies of slum dwellers, the SRA should make these updates available on their official portal for transparency and accountability.

Case title: Vijendra Kumar Rai vs State of Maharashtra and Ors