India, March 5 -- A year after the Maharashtra government made it compulsory for residents to include their mother's first name in all government documents, the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) has mandated that the names of both spouses must be included in the list of eligible residents when slum dwellers are rehabilitated and allotted a new flat.

The new rule, aimed at safeguarding women's rights, would ensure that the SRA property is jointly registered in both spouses' names. This will provide security to women in cases of marital disputes or the death of their spouses, officials said.

"This initiative is essential for the protection and empowerment of women, ensuring they have rightful ownership of their homes," said Mahendra Kal...