The government’s initiative to provide shelter to the poor and downtrodden through various housing projects has taken a beating in the district. Reason: Negligence of the gram panchayat level officials in the district.
The incomplete works of houses under Basava Housing, Dr B R Ambedkar and Indira Awas schemes are a proof of this. The state government had distributed 4,000 houses each for every assembly constituency for the year 2010-11 with the main objective of providing housing facilities for 2,000 beneficiaries in the first phase.
In all, 9,422 houses were allotted for all four constituencies in the first phase and the beneficiaries were selected through lottery.
But, only 715 houses are complete till now. Around 4,464 houses are in various stages of completion. Works have not yet started for the remaining 4,243 houses.
Under Indira Awas Scheme, 4,200 houses were sanctioned for the year 2011-12 with 35 houses each for 120 gram panchayats. But, works for 1,041 houses is yet to see the light.
There is an opportunity to construct 258 houses for those belonging to scheduled case and tribe under Dr B R Ambedkar housing scheme.
But till date, the list of beneficiaries has not been submitted by the gram panchayats.
Deadlines delayed
As per the government norms, the houses should be constructed within four months after the approval. But the works are incomplete even after the deadline and notices issued to the gram panchayats have not made any difference.
The estimation of each house is Rs 63,500 and the Central and state government provides grants of Rs 50,000. The beneficiaries can avail a bank loan of Rs 10,000 and the remaining Rs 3,500 has to be borne by them.
Problems
The beneficiaries are selected through gram sabhas and they should construct the foundation with their own expenses. Later, funds are allotted in various stages.
But majority of the beneficiaries do not have own sites and failure of providing title deed and other relevant documents have resulted in the works of 4,243 houses yet to begin. The situation is similar with other housing schemes too.
The gram panchayat officials have been directed to complete the works within the stipulated time and if the works are not complete there are chances of cancelling the sanctioning of the house, said chief project officer K B Prabhuswamy.
GPS to prevent irregularities
Rajiv Gandhi Rural Housing Corporation has decided to instal Global Positioning System (GPS) technology to prevent irregularities in the housing scheme. This technology will prevent misuse of the scheme by getting more than one house in the same person’s name. The name and the position of the site is registered in the computer.
The list of beneficiaries will be sent by the zilla panchayat to the Nigam. The nodal officer will make a spot inspection and check it through GPS. If the documents and details do not tally then the approval will be cancelled.
