The State Level Sanctioning and Monitoring Committee on Thursday approved 20,457 housing units in Kashmir, 10,949 and Jammu division under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana- Urban.
This was decided at the 9th meeting of the State Level Sanctioning and Monitoring Committee (SLSMC) of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana- Urban (PMAY-U) Mission which was presided over by the Chief Secretary Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta here.
Administrative Secretaries of Finance, Health & Medical Education, Housing & Urban Development, Forest, Ecology & Environment, Planning, Development & Monitoring, Jal Shakti, and Revenue, besides Commissioner, Jammu Municipal Corporation, Managing Director, Housing Board, Managing Director & Chairman, Jammu & Kashmir Bank and concerned Heads of Departments participated in the meeting.
According to an official press release, the Chief Secretary reviewed the progress achieved under the four verticals of PMAY-U — Beneficiary Led Individual House Construction or Enhancement (BLC), Affordable Housing in Partnership (AHP), Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme (CLSS) and In-Situ Slum Redevelopment (ISSR).
It was informed that as per the revised survey, the Housing & Urban Development Department (HUDD) has sanctioned 55,868 houses under these four verticals.
It was informed that the HUDD is undertaking verification of all approved beneficiaries to cross-verify raised claims and weed out ineligible beneficiaries. Accordingly, the claims of 18,613 and 1,524 beneficiaries in Kashmir and Jammu division respectively were proposed to be rejected.
The SLSMC approved the proposal of 20,457 and 10,949 housing units in Kashmir and Jammu division respectively under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana- Urban (PMAY-U) Mission, while rejecting the proposed ineligible claims with the directions of submitting the written record proving such ineligibility.
Similarly, in Udhampur Planning Area and Bhaderwah Planning Area, claims of 32,001 beneficiaries were approved and that of 20,209 rejected.
Further, it was informed that with a view to saturate housing demand under the scheme in all cities and towns of Jammu and Kashmir, the HUDD undertook an extensive IEC campaign and roped in the elected representatives in all Urban Local Bodies through the concerned Deputy Commissioners.
The State Level Sanctioning and Monitoring Committee, as such, approved 79 new DPRs comprising 12,700 beneficiaries under BLC category of PMAY-U, with a total financial implication of Rs. 662.54 crore.
The Chief Secretary impressed the department to initiate the process of tendering for works for sanctioned houses to ensure adherence to project timelines.
Taking into consideration the difficulties faced by the beneficiaries from weaker section in availing the upfront financial assistance comprising 25 percent of the total assistance, the Chief Secretary also allowed submission of post-dated withdrawal forms instead of cheques by the beneficiaries holding Jan Dhan accounts.