Land keeps Central housing scheme grounded in UP

Initiated by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation,the IHSDP was amongst the first schemes launched by the Central government in 2006. Under the scheme,the Centre provides funds to the state for constructing one room units for urban slum dwellers. While 80 per cent of the cost is borne by the Centre,10 per cent is borne by the state government and 10 per cent by the beneficiary. Loans with easy repayment options are provided to beneficiaries.

The Centre has already allotted half of its share after the blocks or tehsils in the districts were identified for constructing the houses. The funds started flowing in from the Centre between 2006 and 2009. “We are still in the process of identifying land as the earlier area which we had marked for the scheme turned out to be a disputed. Since we have identified the beneficiaries,we are hopeful of initiating the work by April,” said an official of Barabanki district administration. Similarly,in Kichhaucha area in Ambedkar Nagar,the District Urban Development Agency has been able to identify the beneficiary but the work remains stalled. “We have identified two areas for the construction of houses. There have been some delay in release of funds and hence,the work has been delayed,” said a district official.

Similar problems have been cited by district officials from Sant Kabir Nagar,Banda,Chandauli and Balrampur amongst others.

However,SUDA officials say that most of the work has already been completed. Project Officer AK Singh said,“We haven’t got any major complaints from any district so far. Small problems do surface,but we have handled them and the construction is in progress.” On delay in finalising land,he said,“The scheme requires land which is not in any kind of dispute. Hence,it took some time but now,the scheme is running fine.”