Who benefits from urban housing schemes?

May 8, 2021 56 Views No Comment

Atono Tsükrü Kense
Kohima | May 8

In March 2007, three ‘housing for poor’ complexes at K Badze, Meriema and Rüziezou in Kohima district were sanctioned under the Basic Services to the Urban Poor (BSUP) by the erstwhile Ministry of Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation, now, Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs. This housing programme was one of various Central government schemes to develop 27,175 urban dwellings for the poor across Nagaland, broadly clubbed under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), which was launched in 2005.

The objective of the project was to provide housing and proper sanitation to the urban poor and to improve overall infrastructure of the town.

As per RTI replies from the Department of Municipal Affairs, the project was sanctioned at a total cost of Rs. 133.07cr with the Central government’s share at Rs. 105.6cr (79.35%), state (Nagaland) share at Rs. 22.93cr (17.24%) and beneficiary contribution at Rs. 4.53cr (3.41%).

The first instalment of the central share was sanctioned on March 31, 2007 amounting to Rs. 1,551.16 lakhs with the final release made on January 1, 2013.

Land cost
The land for the three housing projects at K Badze, Meriema and Rüziezou covering a total area of 23 acres cost Rs. 8,01,50,400 at Rs. 80 per square feet.

The land area for the complex at K Badze was 9.84 acres (Rs. 3,42,90,432), 7.16 acres at Meriema (Rs. 2,49,51,168) and 6 acres at Ruziezou (Rs. 2,09,08,800).

The work order for the construction at K Badze (Group A Package I and II) was issued on June 29, 2007, and it was completed after 6 years in October 2013. For Meriema (Group D package), the work order came on December 12, 2007 and was completed after 9 years in April 2016. The work order for Rüziezou (Group C package I and II) was issued on November 22, 2007 and the work was said to be “ongoing.”

Big money, no occupants
At present, not a single of the completed housing units have been occupied, while over 1,500 units have been allotted. The government also has still to realise the beneficiary share of Rs. 453.60 lakhs.

As per the replies, the list of selected beneficiaries for relocation under BSUP located at K Badze was submitted on July 31, 2015; and for Meriema on September 24, 2019. The list for the Rüziezou complex was also made available but no date was mentioned.

The beneficiaries were also directed to deposit their share of Rs. 30,000 within 30 days from the date of issue of the notification.
It added, “While the modalities for occupancy at the completed sites were being worked out, the pandemic brought things to a standstill in 2020. The buildings at Meriema and K Badze sites were used as quarantine centres during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Modalities for tenancy
As per a notification issued on May 20, 2019, the time period of tenancy per beneficiary was 30 years initially and subject to further decision by the government.

Besides other terms and conditions, the government stated that “there shall be no resale of the dwelling units and no beneficiary shall be allowed to mortgage the dwelling units against any loan/liability to any individual or financial institution.”

While the beneficiaries are required to deposit their share in a single installment, it also prohibits exchange of the dwelling units amongst the allotted beneficiaries.

Did it reach the targeted population?
Housing for urban poor is specifically for slum dwellers, rural poor, Economically Weaker Section (EWS) and Low Income Group (LIG), but there are questions as to whether the targeted population are being or will be benefitted.

As per the guidelines, “selected beneficiaries for allotment of dwelling units under BSUP so recommended by the ward committee shall obtain the approval of the government before the issue of allotment order to ensure that the allottees are ‘genuine and from the targeted group’.”

On the contrary, the beneficiaries’ lists contained names of people, who would not fit the criteria for eligibility.

There was also inconsistency in the data provided. A notification dated September 19, 2012 stated that 1,512 beneficiaries selected for the three sites will be allotted dwelling units by draw of lots. However, the number of beneficiaries for K Badze, Meriema and Rüziezou was 720, 432 and 314, respectively, totalled 1466 as opposed to the overall 1512. The question arises as to the missing 46 beneficiaries.

Further, there were names marked as “allotment for double unit.” If the double unit allotment is accounted for, is a beneficiary entitled for double unit as per the guidelines?

Source: https://morungexpress.com/who-benefits-from-urban-housing-schemes