Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar has urged Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to issue an ordinance amending the Maharashtra Rent Control Act. The proposed amendment aims to include residential and commercial tenants in approximately 4,000 buildings on Mumbai Port Authority (MPA) land, extending protections against eviction and arbitrary rent hikes. The move addresses the regulatory gap that leaves MPA tenants without coverage under the current rent control regulations, emphasizing the need for prompt legislative intervention.
Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar has called for swift action from Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to issue an ordinance amending the Maharashtra Rent Control Act. This proposed amendment aims to extend coverage to residential and commercial tenants residing in approximately 4,000 buildings on Mumbai Port Authority (MPA) land, formerly known as Mumbai Port Trust (MbPT). The exclusion of MPA tenants from the Maharashtra Rent Control Act has resulted in a lack of protection against eviction and arbitrary rent hikes, making it imperative to address this issue promptly.
Narwekar recently held discussions with MPA Chairman Rajeev Jalota, instructing the body not to issue any eviction notices or take coercive actions against tenants residing in buildings on MPA land between Colaba and Wadala. Currently, the Maharashtra Rent Control Act stipulates that rent can be increased by 4% annually, but MPA tenants are not covered by these regulations. In response to this regulatory gap, MPA has independently raised rents based on its 2015 amended Policy Guidelines on Land Management by Major Ports (PGLM).
Acknowledging the urgent need for legislative intervention, Narwekar has emphasized the significance of amending Section 3 of the Maharashtra Rent Control Act, 1999, through an ordinance. This amendment would extend the protective provisions of the Act to residents and businesses on MPA lands, ensuring they receive the same safeguards enjoyed by tenants governed by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA).
In his efforts to address this critical issue, Narwekar has indicated his intention to visit New Delhi and discuss the matter with the Union shipping ministry and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The tenants on MPA lands are seeking the renewal of leases for 30 years, regularization of breaches, and protection against arbitrary rent hikes.
Political observers note that the call for protection against eviction and rent increases holds significant political relevance, especially in South Mumbai, as the Lok Sabha polls approach. Rahul Narwekar, an MLA from Colaba, is considered a key contender for the Lok Sabha seat from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). His advocacy on behalf of MPA tenants is seen as an effort to connect with residents across Colaba, Mazgaon, and Sewri, addressing their concerns and seeking a resolution to their housing-related issues.
The ambiguity surrounding the applicability of the Maharashtra Rent Control Act to residential and commercial establishments on MPA lands underscores the need for a legislative amendment. Such action would ensure that tenants on MPA lands receive the protection and legal provisions offered by the state's rent control regulations, aligning their rights with those of tenants under the broader framework of the Maharashtra Rent Control Act, 1999.
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