Maharashtra Government Grants Land Ownership to Partition-Era Refugee Families, Benefiting Thousands of Sindhis
Mumbai, 9th April 2025: In a landmark decision that addresses a decades-old demand, the Maharashtra government has approved an amnesty scheme to grant land ownership rights to thousands of families who migrated from West Pakistan during the 1947 Partition and settled across the state.
The state cabinet on Tuesday cleared the proposal to regularise leases on residential and commercial properties in 30 designated areas where Sindhi refugees were rehabilitated post-Partition—excluding Ulhasnagar, which will be addressed separately through future legislation. The scheme, which will remain active for one year, offers land ownership at subsidised rates.
“This is an emotional moment for our community. After over 75 years of uncertainty, the state has finally recognised our rightful place on the land we’ve called home for generations,” said Virendra Kukreja, a senior BJP leader and prominent voice in the Sindhi community.
The refugees had been settled on plots that were part of the compensation pool—land allocated by the central government for displaced families after Partition. Over the years, residents faced legal and administrative hurdles as these properties remained under lease or ambiguous status, without full ownership rights.
Under the new scheme, residents will be able to acquire freehold rights on their leased land. For residential plots up to 1,500 square feet, the government will levy a premium of 5% of the Ready Reckoner (RR) rate. For commercial spaces of the same size, the premium will be 10%. In cases where the land exceeds 1,500 square feet, the applicable charges will be doubled.
State Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule assured that the government is open to extending the scheme beyond one year if necessary. “We want to ensure that no eligible family is left out. If required, we will extend the deadline to accommodate everyone,” he said.
Community organisations hailed the move as long overdue. “This decision will bring stability and dignity to the lives of nearly 5 lakh people who have been living in legal limbo for decades,” said Mahesh Sukhramani, working president of the Sindhi Sahitya Academy.
However, concerns remain regarding Ulhasnagar—one of the largest Sindhi settlements in India. The town was initially a military camp and falls under a different administrative category, not included in this scheme.
Kumar Ailani, BJP MLA from Ulhasnagar, acknowledged the unique situation and said discussions with the state government are ongoing. “The state has given us a verbal assurance that a separate ordinance will be passed to address land rights in Ulhasnagar. We are hopeful that a resolution will come soon,” he said.
The move is expected to bring long-awaited legal clarity and peace of mind to thousands of families who have lived without formal ownership for more than seven decades.
