JANHIT MANCH Vs. STATE OF MAHARASHTRA & ORS.

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The expanding population of rural and urban areas has created its own problems, insofar as civic amenities are concerned. The problem is aggravated in metropolitan cities, where there is movement of population with the prospect of better livelihood. Lack of opportunities for employment has compelled people to leave their home and hearth. We are concerned in the present matter with the consequences of such mobility of population.

(2.) Mumbai is perceived to be a city that fulfills the dreams of many. The movement of population has thus been manifold, putting a strain on civil services and open areas, including to play grounds and streets. There has been vast encroachment on public lands by people who have migrated, or otherwise, and who could not find reasonable accommodation for their residence. There has been growth of slum areas, thereby blocking access to public land. The density of construction was therefore required to be upscaled to meet the pressing needs of the population. One methodology to address the issue, devised by the State, was that of awarding development rights, as defined in Section 2(9A) of the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act, 1966 (hereinafter referred to as the said Act), which provides as follows:

(3.) In order to understand this concept, we would like to further elucidate that the object is to give compensation in a different way, to private landowners who have transferred a portion of their land to the Government as and when the Government has required such private land to build or expand public utilities like grounds, gardens, bus stands, roads, etc. The alternate mode of compensation, instead of payment of money is TDR, which is nothing but a development potential, in terms of increased Floor Space Index (hereinafter referred to as 'FSI') awarded in lieu of the area of land given, conferred in the form of a Development Rights Certificate (hereinafter referred to as 'DRC'), by the Government. Such TDR or DRC is negotiable and can be transferred for consideration, leaving it open for the owner of the acquired land to either use the TDR for himself or to sell it in the open market.