State gets tough over denial of homes to poor
A whopping 453 out of the 534 blocks are 'substantially short' of the target, while only 81 have so far been able to achieve the target laid down.
Figures for the distribution of money meant for the construction of units under Indira Awaas Yojana (IAY), for the first half of this fiscal, has dampened the spirits of the Bihar bureacracy.
Data suggests, a whopping 453 out of the 534 blocks were 'substantially short' of the target, while only 81 have so far been able to achieve the target laid down.
Peeved at the poor performance, the state government has decided to hold a day's camp in all blocks across the state for distribution of more than 8.35 lakh dwellings on October 12.
Chief secretary A K Sinha has directed the divisional commissioners to organise such camps on the prescribed day to meet the target and ensure transparency in the Centre's flagship scheme.
In the current fiscal year, the target is to distribute over 8.35 lakh dwellings. Camps for the purpose were held in July this year but passbooks could be distributed only among 4.65 beneficiaries.
In Araria, the camps could not be organised due to detection of irregularities in the list of beneficiaries. As many as 87 FIRs were lodged and altogether 445 persons were mentioned as accused, including BDOs, pramukhs, mukhiyas, muscleflexing middlemen and white collared politicians.
The ministers in charge of the district, including all parliamentarians, legislators and MLCs, have been requested to remain present at the camps this time. Each beneficiary is to be photographed and helped to file affidavits even as their bank accounts are opened in one go at the camps. For this, the district officials have been asked to coordinate with bankers and ensure their presence.
The government grants Rs 45,000 for construction of a new house generally and Rs 48,500 to beneficiaries in Maoist-hit areas. After the selection of beneficiaries, their accounts are opened in a bank or post office and money is transferred into their accounts.
About 7,000 complaints regarding bribe demanded by the officials or non-allotment of housing units despite being on the waiting list of IAY had been received, and about 250 FIRs under section 164 of CrPC were lodged by the administration in different districts, officials told HT.