Project-Affected Families in Maharashtra Get Major Relief Under New Government Order

Pune, 30th May 2026: In a significant relief for thousands of project-affected families across Maharashtra, the state government has issued a fresh circular aimed at bringing greater transparency, uniformity, and legal clarity to the issuance of Project-Affected Persons (PAP) certificates.

The Revenue and Rehabilitation Department has clarified that individuals born after the acquisition of family land cannot be denied a project-affected certificate solely on the grounds that they were not born at the time of land acquisition or were not financially dependent on the original project-affected person when the rehabilitation process began.

The clarification comes after practical and legal difficulties faced by district administrations while implementing the revised procedure issued on January 29, 2025, under the Maharashtra Project Affected Persons Rehabilitation Act, 1999.

According to the government, several district authorities had rejected applications citing technical reasons such as the applicant not being born when the land acquisition award was passed or when the final rehabilitation date was declared. In some cases, applicants were also denied certificates on the grounds that they were not financially dependent on the original project-affected person at the relevant time.

The government has termed such reasons inconsistent with the provisions of the law. It has directed authorities to issue PAP certificates to individuals nominated by the original project-affected person or their legal heirs, even if they were born after the acquisition process.
The circular also clearly defines the powers of district-level authorities.

The District Rehabilitation Officer will now have the final authority to approve, reject, or cancel PAP certificates. In cases where an applicant feels aggrieved by the officer’s decision, an appeal can be filed before the Joint Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner (Rehabilitation) of the concerned division.

Officials said the move is expected to curb arbitrary decisions and inconsistencies in the issuance of certificates across districts, while ensuring that genuine beneficiaries receive their rightful entitlements without unnecessary hurdles.

However, the government has also clarified that landowners whose land was acquired through direct purchase agreements or negotiated settlements with the government will not be eligible for PAP certificates under the existing rehabilitation law. Such cases may be considered only if the state government takes a separate policy decision or amends the relevant legislation in the future.

The latest clarification is expected to provide long-awaited relief to the next generation of project-affected families and streamline the implementation of rehabilitation benefits across Maharashtra.