A target of constructing around five lakh pucca houses by the year 2019 has been fixed by State Government out of which, 1.72 lakh houses will be constructed in the next financial year under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin. Talking to the mediapersons at FFP building in Ranchi, Rural Development Principal Secretary NN Sinha on Friday said that the selection of beneficiaries of the scheme will be done on the basis of Socio Economic and Caste Census (SECC) of 2011 followed by an approval given by Gram Sabha.
“In the year 2016-17, a total of 1,72,588 pucca housing units have to be constructed under Pradhan Mantri Gramin Awas Yojana- Gramin across the state. 1,54,097 houses will be constructed in the year 2017-18 and another 1,54,098 units will be constructed in the year 2018-19,” said Sinha. A target of around 5 lakh house by the year 2019 has been fixed under the scheme, he added.
Under the scheme, Rs 1,30,000 for Naxal affected areas and a sum of Rs 1,20,000 has been fixed for other peaceful locations in the State that are to be paid to the beneficiaries in three different installments.
Sinha further said that in order to prepare a ‘Specific Housing Design’ a research work was being done on the topic ‘Development of Appropriate and Affordable Rural Housing Design’ with the support of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). “To give it a final shape we require statewide consultation. Hence a workshop has been organised on July 2 at ATI building in Ranchi for discussions,” said the Principal Secretary.
As many as 17 different designs have been prepared for different topographies inside the state. Experts have been invited for their suggestion so that the houses could be constructed in a better way.
Earlier, the programme was being run under the name Indira Awas Yojana where a sum of Rs 70000 was alloted for hili areas while a sum of Rs 75000 was paid for Naxal affected areas.
Final Selection of beneficiaries will be done by Gram Sabha on the basis of five parameters in the SECC. If someone was not satisfied with the decision made by Gram Sahbha he can make an appeal with a committee formed under Deputy Development Commissioner of the concerned distirct.
Unique thing about this scheme is that the beneficiaries could construct the house according to his will and could also take a loan from the bank if he wants to construct a bigger house. “A beneficiary could also construct a house bigger than what has been determined under the scheme for which SlBC is being contacted,” said the Secretary.
One more benefit under this scheme is that the beneficiaries could get Rs 15000 as labour cost under convergence and Rs 12000 could also be obtained as grant for construction of toilets from Drinking Water and Sanitation Department. In order to make life better for the beneficiaries, they will also be provided smoke free stove and lPG connections by gram sabha.