MUMBAI: All those who commenced construction on forest land between June 22, 2005-when the Bombay high court passed its judgment on the forest land case-and June 22, 2006, may get relief from the Supreme Court.

The Central Empowerment Committee (CEC) of the SC plans to recommend to the apex court “extension of relief” to residents and builders by a year.

In the past, the CEC was primarily looking into the case of affected citizens who were staying in houses built prior to June 22, 2005, and builders who started their projects before June 2005. It had decided to recommend relief for them. Now, the CEC may recommend it for all affected parties up to June 22, 2006.

Thousands of middle-class families have bought flats on plots that may be on forest land and are keenly following the legal developments.

Said Anmol Bhushan, a petitioner from People’s Power of Nation, “The CEC has taken a sympathetic view of both citizens and builders. It is recommending relief on payment of afforestation charges, which are Rs 7-Rs 8 per sq ft for residents and 10 times for builders. The CEC may also recommend complete exemption to a farmer in case the farming land is located in forest area.”

Bhushan said the CEC would also hear the grievances of people living in slums situated on forest land in Mumbai and Thane. “They will decide if they want to recommend relief for slums. If that is the case, what kind of afforestation charges should be levied on the slumdwellers?” he added.

Prakash Padikkal of the Hillside Residents’ Association said he has been asked by the CEC to submit a list of all affected properties in Mumbai and Thane.

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