Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai’s initiative brings major relief to thousands of BSP housing allottees, with rent cut by up to 75%

Uniform monthly rent of ₹6 per sq ft fixed for retention and third-party category accommodation

Around 3,946 housing allottees to benefit, easing the financial burden on retired employees

BSP management issues revised order following high-level meeting chaired by the Chief Minister

Office-bearers of Retired Personnel Welfare Association and Third Party Welfare Association pay courtesy visit to Chief Minister Shri Sai

Raipur, November 3, 2026/ In an important step towards resolving the long-standing housing rent issue faced by thousands of families residing in the Bhilai Steel Plant (BSP) township, the BSP management has reduced the monthly rent for accommodation under the Retention Scheme and the third-party category to ₹6 per square foot. The decision follows a high-level meeting convened on the initiative of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai and is expected to benefit around 4,000 housing allottees. It is particularly significant for retired employees, as the rent for retention-category accommodation has been reduced by 75 per cent.

Meanwhile, office-bearers of the Retired Personnel Welfare Association and the Third Party Welfare Association of Bhilai Steel Plant paid a courtesy visit to Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai at his residence in Raipur today. Deputy Chief Minister Shri Vijay Sharma, Cabinet Minister Shri Gajendra Yadav, former Assembly Speaker Shri Prem Prakash Pandey, MLAs Shri Lalit Chandrakar and Shri Rikesh Sen, along with several public representatives from Durg-Bhilai, were also present.

Chief Minister’s initiative paves the way for resolving housing rent issue

The difficulties faced by BSP township residents due to increased housing rents were raised prominently at a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Shri Sai. The meeting saw detailed deliberations on the different rent rates applicable to retention and third-party category accommodation and the circumstances arising from their increase. Keeping in view the financial condition of retired employees and other affected families, the Chief Minister emphasised the need for a practical and considerate solution.

Following discussions between public representatives and senior BSP officials initiated by the Chief Minister, a consensus was reached on revising the rent rates.

Subsequently, the BSP’s Town Services Department issued an order on November 2, 2026, fixing the revised rent. Under the order, the monthly rent for eligible accommodation in both the retention and third-party categories has been fixed at ₹6 per square foot.

75 per cent reduction for retention category and 25 per cent for third-party category

The monthly rent for accommodation under the Retention Scheme was earlier fixed at ₹24 per square foot. With the rate now reduced to ₹6 per square foot, housing allottees in this category will receive a 75 per cent reduction in rent.

For a 500-square-foot house, the monthly rent earlier amounted to ₹12,000. Under the revised rate, it will now be ₹3,000. This will result in a monthly saving of ₹9,000 and an annual saving of ₹1.08 lakh for the family concerned.

Housing allottees in the third-party category will also benefit from the revised rates. The monthly rent for this category, earlier fixed at ₹8 per square foot, has now been reduced to ₹6. This amounts to a 25 per cent reduction. The revised arrangement will also bring uniformity in the rent charged for eligible accommodation under both categories.

Nearly 4,000 families to benefit from the rent reduction

According to available information, the revised rent structure is expected to benefit 3,946 housing allottees in the BSP township. This includes 1,158 housing units under the retention category and 2,788 under the third-party category.

Many employees who retired after serving Bhilai Steel Plant for several years now depend on limited pensions or other sources of income. The steep increase in housing rent had placed an additional financial burden on these families. The revised rates will significantly reduce their regular monthly expenses, leaving them with more money to meet household needs.

Provision for recalculation of rent for the previous period

The revised order issued by the BSP management also provides for the new rent rates to be applied retrospectively. Accordingly, rent for the relevant period may be recalculated. The process for adjusting excess amounts paid by housing allottees under the earlier rates will be clarified in accordance with the instructions issued by the concerned department. The revised rent structure will remain applicable as an interim relief measure until further orders.

Major step towards resolving a long-standing issue faced by Bhilai township residents

For employees who have contributed over the years to the construction, operations and development of Bhilai Steel Plant, the township accommodation holds deep personal and family significance. Many families continue to reside in these houses even after retirement. The substantial increase in rent had created financial difficulties for them.

The decision taken by the BSP management following the initiative of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai marks an important step towards addressing the long-standing concerns of these families. The rent reduction will provide financial relief to retired employees and other housing allottees, while the uniform rates for the two accommodation categories will bring greater consistency to the system. The high-level deliberations following the issue raised by public representatives have paved the way for relief to the affected families.