GUWAHATI, Aug 10 - The State Government has set a target of 2.85 lakh houses in 96 towns under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. The decision was taken at a meeting convened by Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal at his office chamber at the Assam Legislative Assembly (ALA) here today, stated an official press release.
Chief Minister Sonowal said that criteria have to be adhered to at any cost while selecting the urban poor, including slum dwellers, the real beneficiaries under the scheme. Those entitled to EWS households need to have an annual income of up to Rs 3 lakh, and to LIG households, an annual income between Rs 3 lakh to Rs 6 lakh. Such beneficiary should not own a pucca house either in his/her name or in the name of any member of his/her family in any part of the country.
Sonowal emphasised on the construction of dwelling units in an organised way with facilities like open spaces and playgrounds. The Chief Minister also underscored the need for making the construction eco-friendly revolving around the green building concept. It was decided in the meeting that the construction would be apartment types with all necessary facilities.
Minister for Guwahati Development Department (GDD) and Finance Himanta Biswa Sarma underlined the need for involving the Assam State Housing Board, Housefed and other builders in the construction works and selection of suitable sites.
The meeting was attended, among others, by Minister for Urban Development Department (UDD), Atul Bora, Chief Secretary VK Pipersenia, Additional CS, UDD, MGVK Bhanu, Commissioner and Secretary to the CM, Sanjay Lohiya, Commissioner and Secretary, Finance, Dr Ravi Kota and the Director, Municipal Administration Department.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has envisioned Housing for All by 2022 when the nation completes 75 years of Independence. This much-awaited scheme was launched by the Prime Minister on June 25, 2015.
All 4,041 statutory towns as per Census 2011 with�focus�on 500 Class I cities will be covered in three phases: Phase I (April 2015-March 2017) covering 100 cities; Phase II (April 2017-March 2019) to cover additional 200 cities and Phase III (April 2019-March 2022) covering all the remaining cities.
