Maharashtra Government Considers Ownership Rights for Mumbai Police Quarters
The Maharashtra government has decided to examine the demand for ownership rights to housing quarters for Mumbai police personnel. A committee has been formed to study the feasibility of this policy change.
Mumbai Police QuartersOwnership RightsMaharashtra GovernmentHousing PolicyPolice PersonnelReal Estate MaharashtraJan 3, 2026
Recently, the state also removed a contentious clause from its mill workers’ housing policy. The clause barred mill workers or their heirs from reapplying for housing if they had earlier declined an allotted unit or shown no interest in it.
A committee headed by the Additional Chief Secretary of the Home department has been appointed to study the feasibility of granting ownership of police quarters. The panel will examine the legal, technical, and financial aspects of the issue before making policy recommendations. Police colonies across Mumbai house more than 19,000 officers and staff. This number falls far short of the requirement for the nearly 52,000-strong force.
The eight-member committee includes additional chief secretaries from the general administration, finance, and public works departments; the Principal Secretary (special) from the Home department; the Additional Director General of Police (administration); the Joint Commissioner of Police (administration), Mumbai; and a joint secretary from the Home department, who will serve as the member secretary.
According to sources, despite the long-pending demand, granting ownership of police quarters poses significant challenges due to existing government policies and the likelihood of similar demands from other state government employees. A 2014 Supreme Court judgment held that state government employees cannot claim ownership of government-provided quarters.
The state government has also not given serious consideration to similar demands raised by government employees residing in the Bandra Government Colony. The Government Quarters Residents Association, which represents residents of the Bandra Colony, has been pursuing this demand for several years.
Meanwhile, a committee that examined comparable demands in the past submitted a report stating that such requests cannot be accommodated, given the Supreme Court judgment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current status of the demand for ownership rights to police quarters in Mumbai?
The Maharashtra government has formed a committee to examine the feasibility of granting ownership rights to police quarters. No time frame has been specified for the submission of the report.
What are the legal challenges in granting ownership rights to police quarters?
A 2014 Supreme Court judgment states that state government employees cannot claim ownership of government-provided quarters. This poses significant legal challenges to the demand.
Who is part of the committee formed to study the feasibility of granting ownership rights?
The committee includes additional chief secretaries from the general administration, finance, and public works departments, as well as representatives from the Home department and the police administration.
How many police personnel are currently housed in police colonies in Mumbai?
Police colonies across Mumbai house more than 19,000 officers and staff, which is far short of the nearly 52,000-strong force.
What is the stance of the Government Quarters Residents Association on this issue?
The Government Quarters Residents Association, representing residents of the Bandra Colony, has been pursuing a similar demand for ownership rights for several years.