The recent natural calamity in Uttarakhand has not only destroyed countless homes and lives, but has also hampered many Government-run schemes. For instance, the negative response received for the residential scheme of Mussoorie Dehradun Development Authority (MDDA), which is being
initiated after 13-14 years, clearly shows the adverse affect of the disaster in the State. Sources of MDDA revealed that mere 1,579 application forms have been received till January 31 against the total 560 flats to be constructed under the residential schemes of MDDA. The response is much lower and officials are claiming the natural disaster to be the main reason for this negative response.
Secretary of MDDA, Bansidhar Tiwari, stressed that the response of residents was much lower and said that the recent natural disaster to be the major cause of the reducing interest of people in this residential scheme. Total 474 application forms have been sold till date for llotment of lower Income Group (lIG) flats constructed by MDDA near the Inter Bus Terminus (ISBT) in Dehradun.
Around 450 application forms have been received for allotment of Economical Weaker Section Group (EWS) flats and around 555 application forms have been sold for Medium Income Group (MIG) flats. Officials informed that these flats will be sold to applicants chosen through the lottery system, which is scheduled to be held on February 28.
Each of the flats divided into blocks of four-storeyed mini-flats includes two rooms with a lobby, kitchen, verandah and a toilet. The flats will consist of all the basic facilities including light, water, park and other, informed a source of MDDA. The cost of each lIG flats is around Rs 20 lakh, the EWS flats amount to Rs 60 lakh while the MIG flats cost to Rs 555. The forms were available at total five banks of Dehradun. Other cities where applications are being sold include Mussoorie, Haridwar, Haldwani, Nainital, Kashipur, Almora, Pauri, Pithoragarh, Srinagar and Rudraprayag.
As per the sources of MDDA, around 50 per cent quota for the SC/ST and OBC applicants would be provided in allocating the flats. Around 30 per cent quota is for female applicants in different categories.