Mhada lottery brings double happiness to Pulwama hero’s family

Mumbai: Mhada conducted its computerised lottery for 2,030 homes on Tuesday in the presence of housing minister Atul Save, guardian minister Deepak Kesarkar and senior department officials.
A few lucky winners were present among the audience at Y B Chavan Centre, Nariman Point, when their fortunes were called out. Nearly 1 lakh people watched the event live on YouTube and many more on other streaming platforms.
One noteworthy winner, Sanjay Rajput, said, "For 15-odd years, I have been living in a chawl and applying for a home.[On Tuesday,] my mother said my dream will come true. I am thrilled that her blessing has come to fruition. My brother, Vikram Rajput, was martyred in Pulwama, and I had applied for a flat in my sister-in-law's name. She, too, has won a flat in her first attempt. We are very happy."
Another winner at the venue, Jayshree Hutkar, said, "I had applied for a flat in Vikhroli and my dream has been realised. For so many years, I have travelled long distances to work. Now, my commute will be easier. I am thankful that the lottery process is online as that saves us the trouble of filing a physical application and preparing a demand draft."
Pramod Gaikwad also won in Kannamwar Nagar, Vikhroli. "I have won in the ex-servicemen's category. I rang my family immediately," he said.
Mhada received 1.34 lakh applications, while 1.13 lakh people participated in the lottery after paying the earnest money deposit and submitting the documents. The results of the lottery were to be published on Mhada's website late in the evening. Now begins the tough task of arranging finances for the winners.
Save said govt is simplifying rehabilitation policies to facilitate faster redevelopment, "which will increase housing stock and enhance infrastructure".