Tenants urge govt to get sr counsel to

defend rent Act in SC

Clara Lewis / TNN / Updated: Dec 2, 2023, 06:23

Tenants associations in Mumbai have urged the chief minister and housing
minister to appoint senior counsel and a top firm of solicitors to defend the
constitutional validity of the Rent Control Act and Chapter VIII A of MHADA Act
before a nine-judge bench in the Supreme Court. This matter, pending since
2000, will have a far-reaching effect on tenants in Mumbai and Maharashtra.
The tenants have asked for a commitment to protect their rights, considering
the history of rent control in the state and the 'Pugree' payment by tenants.
MUMBAI: Tenants associations across the city have written to the chief
minister and housing minister urging them to appoint senior counsel and a top
firm of solicitors to defend the Maharashtra Rent Control Act, 1999, and
Chapter VIII of the MHADA Act before the Supreme Court.
"The Property Owners Association (an association of landlords) and others have
filed cases before the Supreme Court challenging the constitutional validity of
the Rent Control Act and Chapter VIII A of MHADA Act which provides for
ownership to tenants over the premises.
The matter has been pending since 2000, and now the date for hearing is
February 6, before a nine-judge bench. The matter will have a far reaching
effect on crores of tenants in Mumbai and Maharashtra," said Pravin Jain, vice
president, JVPD Tenants and Residents Association. Vidula Warawdekar, a
South Mumbai resident of a tenanted building, said, "If the Supreme Court
allows the petitions, it could mean the end of rent control in Maharashtra with
landlords being able to charge whatever rent they want or throw tenants out. If
the Supreme Court dismisses the petitions, tenants would be protected," she
said. In a letter to CM Eknath Shinde, the tenants have asked for a
commitment to protect the rights of tenants, considering the history of rent
control in the state and the actual payment of 'Pugree' by tenants.
Mumbai guardian minister and BJP MLA from Malabar Hill in South Mumbai
Mangal Prabhat Lodha said he would communicate the concerns of the tenants
to the CM and the deputy CMs. Lodha said he would also hold a meeting with
tenants to understand their issues. "We are committed to protect the interests
of the tenants and it is in the interest of the tenants and landlords to carry out
redevelopment of old and dilapidated buildings," he said. Ashish Shelar, BJP
Mumbai unit president, said he would be holding a meeting with tenants before
the winter session of the state legislature begins on December 7. "The BJP's
stand is to protect the interests of the tenants. We shall pursue the matter with
the government to ensure tenants interests are properly represented in court.
In case tenants lose in court then we shall take up the issue through the
legislature and formulate a law to protect them," he said