71 yrs on, Partition refugees get land rights

Shiv Kumar

Tribune News Service

Mumbai, April 25

Nearly 71 years after they were resettled in various parts of Maharashtra, Partition refugees from West Pakistan will finally get to own their homes.

The Maharashtra Government on Tuesday decided to grant freehold rights on the plots given to the migrants, most of them originally belonged to Sind in Pakistan. Following the government decision, the land on which the refugees’ homes and business establishments stand will be classified as “free-hold” land. It will help occupants to sell or redevelop their homes without hassles. The move will benefit all residents of 31 clusters, known as Sindhi colonies, across the state. 

Following Partition, those fleeing to India were housed in “refugee camps”. However, over the decades, the occupants put down roots in these places and were finding it difficult to sell, mortgage or redevelop their homes.

“Those wanting to sell their homes in these “refugee camps” are required to share 50 per cent of the profits with the state government since the land is owned by the collector,” explains a source in the government.                                                      

Sources say other states had long ago designated the land on which the refugees are housed as free-hold properties which allowed occupants to transfer them.

The transfer of properties to the Partition refugees and their descendents is expected to be completed within six months.