PMAY-U to ensure universal housing in JK

Jammu, Nov 11: The Chief Secretary, Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta Thursday chaired the 9th meeting of the State Level Sanctioning and Monitoring Committee (SLSMC) of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana- Urban (PMAY-U) Mission.
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.
The Chief Secretary reviewed the progress achieved under the four verticals of PMAY-U namely 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 department of Housing & Urban Development has sanctioned 55,868 houses under these four verticals.
It was informed that the Housing & Urban Development Department 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 Housing & Urban Development Department 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 upon 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% 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.