Mumbai: In order to expedite the resolution of rental housing disputes, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday directed the appointment of a deputy commissioner of police as the competent authority under the Maharashtra Rent Control Act, 1999, and issuance of a notification for its implementation. He also directed the establishment of 100 special courts for speedy resolution of complaints related to rent. Fadnavis suggested the appointment of retired judges to these courts for the purpose.At a meeting to review the rental housing policy of the state govt at the Sahyadri state guest house, Fadnavis directed the state housing dept to develop a portal for the convenience of citizens seeking affordable rental housing. Fadnavis pointed out that a large number of citizens come to Mumbai from outside in search of jobs or to set up business. “Since there is a massive need for housing, a competent mechanism should be established and operationalised for affordable rental housing,” he said.He directed officials to make rental housing available on the principle of supply as per demand. Additional chief secretary (housing) Aseemkumar Gupta, Mumbai police commissioner Deven Bharti, principal secretary (home) Anupkumar Singh, Radhika Rastogi, principal secretary (law and judiciary), Dilip Ghumre, Mhada chief executive officer Sanjeev Jaiswal, and others were present at the meeting. Fadnavis directed a system be put in place such that if the jurisdiction of a police station expands, the number of competent officers will automatically increase. He directed the law and judiciary dept to obtain permission from the court to establish evening courts for disposal of pending cases related to rent. “If space is not available for these courts, space should be taken on rent,” he said. Fadnavis expressed confidence this will help dispose of cases pending for years.
