- A uniform rent rate of ₹6 per square foot per month now applies to ‘Retention’ and ‘Third-Party’ category housing
- Approximately 3,946 occupants to benefit; financial burden on retired employees to be eased
- BSP management issues revised order following a high-level meeting chaired by the Chief Minister
- Representatives from the Retired Personnel Welfare Association and the Third-Party Welfare Association call on Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai
A significant decision has been reached to resolve the long-standing issue regarding housing rent for thousands of families residing in the Bhilai Steel Plant (BSP) township. Following a high-level meeting initiated by Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, the BSP management has reduced the rent for ‘Retention’ scheme and ‘Third-Party’ category housing to ₹6 per square foot per month. This decision is expected to provide relief to nearly 4,000 occupants. It will prove particularly beneficial for retired employees, as the rent rate under the ‘Retention’ category has been reduced by 75 percent.
Meanwhile, representatives from the Bhilai Steel Plant’s Retired Personnel Welfare Association and the Third-Party Welfare Association met with Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai today at his official residence in Raipur. Present during the meeting were Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma, Cabinet Minister Gajendra Yadav, former Assembly Speaker Premprakash Pandey, MLAs Lalit Chandrakar and Rikesh Sen, along with several other public representatives from the Durg-Bhilai region.
- Chief Minister’s initiative paves the way for resolving the housing rent issue
The challenges faced by BSP township residents due to increased housing rents were highlighted during the high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai. During the meeting, a detailed discussion took place regarding the rent rates—and the subsequent increases—for housing units under the ‘retention’ and ‘third-party’ categories. The Chief Minister emphasized the need to find a practical and sensitive solution, taking into account the financial circumstances of retired employees and other affected families.
Following an initiative by the Chief Minister, discussions between public representatives and senior BSP officials led to an agreement on the revision of these rent rates.
Subsequently, the BSP’s Town Services Department issued an order on November 2, 2026, establishing the new rent rates. According to the revised order, the rent for housing units in both the ‘retention’ and ‘third-party’ categories will be 6 rupees per square foot per month.
- A 75% reduction for the ‘retention’ category and a 25% reduction for the ‘third-party’ category.
For housing units under the ‘retention’ scheme, the monthly rent was previously set at 24 rupees per square foot. With this now reduced to 6 rupees per square foot, residents will receive a direct 75% reduction in their rent.
For instance, if a housing unit has an area of 500 square feet, the monthly rent was previously 12,000 rupees. Under the new rate, this will be reduced to 3,000 rupees—resulting in a monthly saving of 9,000 rupees for the family, amounting to an annual saving of 108,000 rupees.
Residents in the ‘third-party’ category will also benefit from the revised rates. The rent for this category, previously set at 8 rupees per square foot per month, has now been lowered to 6 rupees, representing a 25% reduction. This new arrangement also brings uniformity to the rent rates across both categories.
- Approximately 4,000 families to receive financial relief.
According to available information, it is estimated that a total of 3,946 households in the BSP township will benefit from this revised rent structure. This includes 1,158 housing units under the ‘retention’ category and 2,788 units under the ‘third-party’ category.
It is noteworthy that many employees who retired after years of service at the Bhilai Steel Plant (BSP) now rely on limited pensions or other modest sources of income. For these families, a sharp increase in housing rent had become a source of significant financial strain. The implementation of revised rates will lead to a notable reduction in their regular monthly expenses, freeing up more funds for their family needs.
- Provision for Recalculation of Past Rent
The revised order issued by the BSP management includes a provision to apply the new rent rates with retrospective effect, allowing for the recalculation of rent for the relevant periods. The process for adjusting any excess rent already paid by occupants—at the previously higher rates—will be clarified in accordance with departmental guidelines. This revised rent structure will remain in effect as an interim measure until further orders are issued.
- A Significant Step Toward Resolving a Long-standing Issue for Residents of the Bhilai Township
For employees who contributed for years to the construction, operation, and development of the Bhilai Steel Plant, these township residences are deeply intertwined with their lives and families. Many families continue to reside in these homes even after retirement. The substantial hike in rent had caused these families to face significant financial hardship.
This decision, taken by the BSP management at the initiative of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai, marks a crucial step toward alleviating the long-standing concerns of these families.The reduction in rent will provide financial relief to retired employees and other occupants, while the establishment of uniform rent rates for specific housing categories will bring consistency to the system. This decision, reached following high-level deliberations on an issue raised by public representatives, has paved the way for providing relief to the affected families.