Work starts in Jammu, Kupwara, says Commissioner Secretary H&UDD
Despite opposition from various quarters to setting-up of shelters for homeless, mostly non-state subjects, the State government has initiated work on building the structures for ‘floating population’ in Jammu and Kupwara districts.
Speaking to reporters on sidelines of a workshop titled ‘PM Awas Yojana- Housing for All-2022; Credit Link Subsidy Scheme (CLSS)’ at Sher-e-Kashmir International Conference Center here on Monday, Hirdesh Kumar, Commissioner Secretary Housing and Urban Development Department said once ready, the shelters, being constructed under National Urban Livelihood Mission, will be handed over to floating population on ‘temporary’ basis.
“We will construct homes for shelter-less people like those living on roadside and beneath flyovers. They will not get any ownership rights. They can take shelter there but not on permanent basis,” Kumar said, adding that government is also working on a scheme to provide ownership rights of land to Pakistani refugees residing in Jammu.
Commenting on implementation of ‘PMAY-Housing for All-2022’ in J&K, Kumar said the State was lagging behind in adopting the central scheme. He said the survey commissioned by the Department to assess need for housing was delayed due to change in policy decisions at the Centre.
“Prior to launch of Housing for All-2022, Rajiv Awas Yojana was abandoned in February 2015 which caused the delay. Otherwise, the project would have been completed. We’ve asked the agency, conducting the survey in the State, to deliver on time. Subsequently, we will submit a plan of action to Government of India in June and hopefully overcome the delay,” Kumar said.
Kumar said under ‘Housing for All-2022’ scheme, the State envisions to construct 2.5 to 3 lakh structures by 2022, adding that construction of 50,000 houses will be undertaken every year.
Earlier, addressing a gathering of bankers, Dr Sanjeev Sharma, Executive Director National Housing Bank (NHB), said objective of NHB to hold awareness workshop here is to overcome the poor response which CLSS has evoked in J&K. Sharma urged banks and housing finance companies to accelerate lending for economically weaker sections and low income groups.
“We have set up a portal that will ensure that CLSS claims will be sorted in a week’s time. We aim to create awareness among banks, housing finance companies and state government on how NHB extends direct financial assistance for projects undertaken by public housing agencies for house construction. The NHB extends refinance facility for banks and financial institutions under Rural Housing Scheme and Urban Housing Fund Scheme at concessional rates,” Sharma said.
Speaking at the event, Arun Gandotra, vice president J&K Bank, said sensitizing scheduled commercial banks, regional rural banks, housing finance companies and office bearers of various development agencies about CLSS is a welcome step. “CLSS should reach the remotest district of the State,” Gandotra said
G A Qureshi, State Level Nodal Authority (PMAY-CLSS) said 90 per cent houses required in J&K are for the EWS and urban poor. “People of slightly higher economic status are also eligible for PMAY,” Qureshi said.
