Maharashtra Yashwantrao Chavan Mukta Vasahat Yojana

Scheme Introduction: A Brief Overview

Owning a house is a dream for every family, but many economically weaker families in Maharashtra still live in tents, huts, slums, or kutcha houses due to financial difficulties. While some families do not own any land, others have land but lack the resources required to construct a permanent house. To address this issue and improve the living conditions of vulnerable communities, the Government of Maharashtra launched the Maharashtra Yashwantrao Chavan Mukta Vasahat Yojana.

The Maharashtra Yashwantrao Chavan Mukta Vasahat Yojana is a housing welfare scheme aimed at providing permanent housing facilities to eligible families belonging to the Vimukta Jati and Nomadic Tribes (VJNTs) and the Dhangar community. Through this scheme, the state government seeks to reduce homelessness, improve housing conditions, and ensure that beneficiaries have access to safe shelter and basic civic amenities. The scheme is implemented by the Other Backwards Bahujan Welfare Department, Maharashtra.

Maharashtra Government operates multiple housing welfare schemes to ensure that different communities have access to safe and permanent housing. Along with Maharashtra Yashwantrao Chavan Mukta Vasahat Yojana, the state also implements Modi Awas Gharkul Yojana, Ramai Awas Yojana, and Aadim Awas Yojana. While each scheme targets different beneficiary groups, their common objective is to improve housing conditions and enhance the quality of life of economically weaker families across Maharashtra.

In the Maharashtra Budget 2023-24, the state government allocated ₹600 crore for the implementation of Yashwantrao Chavan Mukta Vasahat Yojana. Under the scheme, a total of 50,000 houses are proposed to be provided to eligible beneficiaries across the state. Out of these, 25,000 houses are reserved for beneficiaries belonging to the Vimukta Jati and Nomadic Tribes (VJNTs), while the remaining 25,000 houses are earmarked for beneficiaries belonging to the Dhangar community.

The scheme also focuses on the development of planned residential colonies. Each colony is proposed to consist of a cluster of 20 families or 20 houses and will be equipped with essential facilities such as internal roads, drainage systems, water supply, electricity connections, and community halls (Samaj Mandir). The scheme is proposed to be implemented across 34 districts of Maharashtra, excluding Mumbai City and Mumbai Suburban districts, thereby ensuring wider coverage among eligible beneficiaries.

Apart from providing constructed houses, the scheme also offers financial assistance to eligible beneficiaries who already own land but are unable to build a house due to financial constraints. Under the scheme, beneficiaries residing in hilly areas can receive financial assistance of ₹1,30,000, while beneficiaries residing in general areas can receive ₹1,20,000 for house construction.

Yashwantrao Chavan Mukta Vasahat Yojana is also known as the Yashwantrao Chavan Mukta Vasahat Scheme and the Yashwantrao Chavan Free Colony Scheme. Families with an annual income exceeding ₹1.20 lakh are not eligible to receive benefits under the scheme. Eligible applicants can obtain the offline application form free of cost from the Office of the Assistant Commissioner of their respective district and submit it along with the prescribed documents to avail the benefits of the scheme.

Scheme Benefits

The following benefits are provided under Maharashtra Yashwantrao Chavan Mukta Vasahat Yojana:

House Construction Benefits

• A total of 50,000 houses will be provided to eligible beneficiaries.
• 25,000 houses will be allotted to Vimukta Jati and Nomadic Tribes (VJNTs).
• 25,000 houses will be allotted to beneficiaries belonging to the Dhangar community.
• Each constructed house will have an area of approximately 269 square feet.

Financial Assistance for House Construction

• The scheme is fully funded by the Government of Maharashtra.
• Eligible beneficiaries residing in general areas can receive financial assistance of ₹1,20,000 for house construction.
• Eligible beneficiaries residing in hilly or Naxal-affected areas can receive financial assistance of ₹1,30,000 for house construction.
• For a colony consisting of 20 beneficiary families, infrastructure development assistance is also provided by the department.
• Beneficiaries may receive support under MGNREGA in the form of wages for unskilled labour during house construction, subject to applicable guidelines.
• Additional assistance of ₹12,000 may be available for toilet construction under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin).

Infrastructure Facilities in Housing Colonies

• Internal Roads.
• Drainage Facilities.
• Water Supply.
• Electricity Connections.
• Community Hall (Samaj Mandir).

Priority Categories

• Families living in tents, huts, or temporary shelters.
• Widowed women.
• Divorced women.
• Persons with disabilities.
• Flood-affected families.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must satisfy the following eligibility conditions to receive benefits under the Maharashtra Yashwantrao Chavan Mukta Vasahat Yojana:

• The applicant's family should be a permanent resident of Maharashtra.
• The applicant should belong to the Vimukta Jati and Nomadic Tribes (VJNTs) category or the Dhangar community, as prescribed under the scheme guidelines.
• The applicant's family should not own a permanent house.
• The applicant's family should be residing in a tent, hut, kutcha house, or other temporary shelter.
• The applicant's family should generally be landless. However, beneficiaries who own land and have not received benefits under any Central or State Government housing scheme may also be eligible as per scheme guidelines.
• The applicant's family should be residing at one place for at least six months and may spend the remaining period travelling from village to village for livelihood purposes.
• The annual family income should not exceed ₹1,20,000.
• The applicant's family should not have availed benefits under any Central or State Government housing scheme such as Gharkul or similar housing schemes.

Required Documents

Applicants should submit the following documents along with the application form:

• Residence Proof or Domicile Certificate.
• Aadhaar Card.
• Caste Certificate.
• Income Certificate.
• Bank Account Details.
• Passport Size Photograph.
• Mobile Number.
• Disability Certificate (if applicable).
• Husband's Death Certificate (for widows).
• Wife's Death Certificate (for widowers).
• Parents' Death Certificate (for orphans).

Steps to Apply

Eligible beneficiaries can apply for Maharashtra Yashwantrao Chavan Mukta Vasahat Yojana through the prescribed offline application process. The application form is available free of cost at the Office of the Assistant Commissioner of the concerned district.

• Visit the Office of the Assistant Commissioner in your district.
• Collect the Maharashtra Yashwantrao Chavan Mukta Vasahat Yojana application form free of cost.
• Fill in all the required details carefully in the application form.
• Attach all the necessary documents, including identity, residence, caste, income, and other applicable certificates.
• Submit the duly filled application form along with the required documents to the same office.
• After submission, the concerned department will scrutinize the application form and verify the information and documents provided by the applicant.
• Eligible applications will be considered for selection under the scheme in accordance with the prescribed guidelines and the availability of benefits.
• After successful verification, the department will prepare the list of selected beneficiaries.
• Selected beneficiaries will be informed through SMS, email, or other official communication channels.
• Upon approval, beneficiaries will receive either a constructed house under the scheme or financial assistance for house construction, depending on their eligibility and category.

Relevant Links

• Maharashtra Other Backward Bahujan Welfare Department Portal.
• Maharashtra Social Justice and Special Assistance Department Portal.
• Maharashtra Yashwantrao Chavan Mukta Vasahat Yojana Guidelines.

Contact Information

• Maharashtra Other Backwards Bahujan Welfare Department Helpline Number:-
  • 022-22823821.
  • 022-22823820.
• Maharashtra Other Backward Bahujan Welfare Department Helpdesk Email:- [email protected].
• Maharashtra Social Justice and Special Assistance Department Helpline Number :-
  • 022-22025251.
  • 022-22028660.
• Maharashtra Social Justice and Special Assistance Department Helpdesk Email :- [email protected].
• Maharashtra Other Backward Bahujan Welfare Department, Maharashtra,
  1st Floor, Annex Building, Mantralaya,
  Madam Cama Road, Hutatma Rajguru Chawk,
  Nariman Point, Mumbai - 400032.