P&RD racing against time
STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: The State Panchayat and Rural Development (P&RD) department is racing against time to meet the target of constructing 3,65,976 houses under the PMAY-G (Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojona-Gramin) in the State in fiscal 2020-21. During the COVID-19 lockdown, the department has constructed 4,743 houses after April 20, 2020 when the Centre allowed construction of PMAY-G work to continue during the lockdown.
With the COVID-19 lockdown enforced from March 24 midnight, the PMAY-G works had been totally stopped from March 25- April 20. However, PMAY-G construction works resumed after April 20. So far, 4,743 houses have been constructed in the State after April 20. As many as 1,49,618 other houses are under construction in the State. The Union Ministry of Rural Development has set a target for the construction of 3,65,976 houses in the State during fiscal 2020-21. Since the inception of PMAY-G, as many as 2,56,671 houses have been constructed in the State.
Talking to The Sentinel, State P&RD Minister Naba Kumar Doley said, "Since the Government of India has allowed continuation of PMAY-G house construction during the lockdown after April 20 this year, we've started construction works under the Scheme. So far, we've constructed 4,743 houses after April 20 till today."
The Centre has allowed construction of PMAY-G works under certain conditions. Doley said, "We've asked the department to ensure compulsory use of face masks, maintaining social distancing while working and making hand-washing facilities available at the sites of works. Our thrust is on the construction of maximum houses during the fiscal."
A house under PMAY-G costs Rs 1.30 lakh, and the amount is released in three installments. The funding pattern under this scheme is 90:10.PMAY-G aims to achieve the objective of housing for all by 2022.