Mumbai: BJP has again started lobbying to make slumdwellers living on the first floor of hutments eligible for free or affordable housing. Officials said the proposal will soon be sent to the state cabinet for approval. If cleared, said political observers, it will be seen as an attempt by BJP to woo voters ahead of BMC polls.In Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) schemes, only families living on the ground floor of slums are eligible for free housing or under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY).by paying Rs 2.5 lakh. Those living on the first floor are not eligible even if they are living there from before 2000.Following former BJP corporator Vinod Mishra’s demand for rehab of first-floor slumdwellers, Mumbai Suburban guardian minister Ashish Shelar on Thursday held a review meeting and asked officials to submit a proposal before the cabinet. “The meeting was positive,” Shelar told TOI. “There are many legal chawls in declared slum areas that are ground-plus one or two structures. These first- or second-floor residents will be made eligible in SRA schemes. As far as other slums are concerned, the first-floor structures will be surveyed and will be made eligible for PMAY, as per rules.”In 2023, a govt resolution (GR) was issued fixing the cost for all such post-2000 beneficiaries at Rs 2.5 lakh (estimated construction cost). “Under the slum protection policy, if a structure came up between 2001 and 2011 and if the resident is able to produce documents to show that the hut existed anytime during this period, she/he will be eligible for a rehab flat on the payment of Rs 2.5 lakh. If a decision is taken, then this same format will be applicable for those living on the first floor,” said a senior official.Pointing out that Housing for All is the PM’s dream and the Devendra Fadanvis-led Mahayuti govt has been positive about this initiative, Mishra said: “Officials said the file was with the finance department and will be soon placed before the state cabinet. Once that is done, a GR will be issued.”In his letter to Shelar, Mishra stated: “We had drawn attention to this issue in 2023 too. The SRA CEO had submitted a proposal to the housing department…recommending to include the ineligible residents of the first floor in slum rehab schemes. The CM also took a positive stand…in the legislative assembly. The housing department conducted a thorough investigation…and verification of relevant documents was completed. It was concluded that there is no objection…however, the final approval and GR are still pending. If this decision is taken, it will strengthen state govt’s role.”