Archive · 19 Aug 2026
Maharashtra Revamps Government Land Allotment For Housing Societies
Maharashtra will again allow cooperative housing societies to apply for government-owned land.
The state had stopped new allotments after a controversy in 2010.
Plots will now be offered through public auctions instead of lotteries.
The society with the highest bid will generally be selected.
Land will be leased for 30 years rather than given as immediate ownership.
Housing societies must include members from backward communities and persons with disabilities.
The policy also reserves plots for several groups, including government employees, artists, journalists, and economically weaker people.
It sets different home sizes and income limits for government employee groups.
Officials can take action against dummy flats and must approve certain transfers, loans, and redevelopment proposals.
Maharashtra has lifted a freeze on new government-land allotments to cooperative housing societies imposed after a 2010 controversy.
District collectors will auction plots through public advertisements and technical and financial bids, replacing the earlier lottery system.
Government land will be granted on 30-year leases, with possible conversion to Class-I occupancy after the lease ends.
Societies must include at least 20% members from backward communities and 5% persons with disabilities.
The policy sets category-based plot reservations, revised income limits, carpet-area rules, and controls on transfers, mortgages, and redevelopment.
- Who
- The Maharashtra government, Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, district collectors, and cooperative housing societies.
- What
- The government lifted the freeze on state-owned land allotments and introduced a revised auction-based policy with housing quotas and eligibility rules.
- When
- The announcement was made on Wednesday, August 19; the report does not specify the year. The policy also refers to Supreme Court observations dated November 25, 2024.
- Where
- Maharashtra, including Mumbai city and its suburbs.
- Why
- The revised policy was prepared after a petition by the Sanjay Gandhi Cooperative Housing Society in Kolhapur and observations by the Supreme Court of India.
- Previous freeze
- New allotments to cooperative housing societies had been suspended since 2010.
- Allotment method
- District collectors will identify plots and conduct public auctions using technical and financial bids.
- Base price
- The base price is 2.5% of market value in Mumbai city and suburbs and 5% elsewhere in Maharashtra.
- Lease term
- Government land will be allotted on a 30-year lease and may then qualify for Class-I occupancy conversion.
- Mandatory representation
- At least 20% of society members must be from backward communities and 5% must be persons with disabilities.
- Plot reservations
- Reservations include 40% for the general category, 15% for state and local-government employees, and 10% each for specified social and professional groups.
- Housing rules
- Income and carpet-area limits are linked to employee groups, while transfers, mortgages, and redevelopment require district collector permission.
