Dwivedi sets December 30 deadline to clear rural housing fund, Real Estate News, ET Real Estate

Kolkata: The Bengal government on Wednesday issued new guidelines to complete the targeted 11.3 lakh houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Rural) by March 2023.

Chief Secretary of Bengal HK DwivediDuring a meeting on the rural housing scheme, the district magistrates were directed to sanction funds for all 11.3 lakh houses by December 30. So far, the authorities had approved funds for only 1.8 lakh units accounting for 16% of the total.

Geo tagging has been made mandatory for all houses. In late November, the Center had approved Rs 8,200 crore for the construction of 11.3 lakh housing units in Bengal.

Bengal has recently been witnessing agitations against irregularities in rural housing allotments, alleging that many poor people have been left out. Dwivedi also directed to remove bogus beneficiaries, including dead persons. The District Magistrates were asked to conduct intensive inspections in the first fortnight of every month till March and set up control rooms in all the districts for the guidance of the beneficiaries.

Dwivedi told the DM that any delay in construction would not be accepted. An official cited late payment, shortage of material and demand for bigger houses by some beneficiaries as reasons for the delay.

To assist the landless people, BLLRO has been asked to identify and issue pattas for land parcels on which their houses can be built.

Dwivedi also asked for incentives to the facilitators as a section of ASHA and Anganwadi workers wanted exemption from verification duties of households. He also said that the contact numbers of BDOs and Joint BDOs should be properly displayed so that people can contact them for lodging complaints. A ‘Samadhan Mela’ will also be organized to resolve issues like material shortage, labor payment, fund transfer and linking of bank accounts with Aadhaar.

Emphasizing on the construction of houses within 90 days, Dwivedi said that toilets can be built with MNREGA funds. The District Magistrates have been asked to hold monthly meeting with the SDA. Will review BDO and ADM and poor performing panchayats.