By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Urban Affairs Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh on Thursday inaugurated the first 96 dwelling units of a total of 600 units at Nongmynsong constructed under the Centrally-sponsored JNNURM Basic Service of Urban Poor (BSUP) Scheme.
64 BPL families from Nongmynsong and 32 from Pynthorbah were allotted the 96 dwelling units.
The scheme was sanctioned in 2007 at an estimated cost of Rs 30.44 crore for construction of 600 dwelling units in two phases.
Addressing the gathering on the occasion, the Urban Affairs Minister informed that a total amount of Rs 13.76 crore has been earmarked for construction of the 300 dwelling units in Phase I while an amount of Rs 16.68 crore would be utilized for the remaining 300 units under Phase II.
She informed that a total amount of Rs 20.91 crore has been utilized so far for construction of the dwelling units, while adding that the beneficiaries would be able to claim ownership of the dwelling unit allotted to them once they fulfill the various formalities including payment of a nominal amount of Rs 32,500.
“We would give them 60-months time to pay the whole amount. The beneficiaries would require paying Rs 500 per month,” Ampareen informed.
Lyngdoh informed that another 96 dwelling units is expected to be completed within March 2013.
The original deadline for completion of the two phases was August 2009 and January 2010 respectively. Ampareen, while explaining the delay said that the project was delayed due to the initial objection from the local people and also due to procedural delays. The progress of the work was also hampered due to the low strength of labourers engaged in the construction.
Ampareen informed that the Dorbar Shnong of Nongmynsong has agreed to arrange labourers for the project. “Once the labour force improves, implementation of the project would speed up,” she said.
When asked about the yardstick adopted in selecting the beneficiaries for the dwelling units, the Urban Affairs Minister said that the local Dorbar Shnong of the five identified slums (Nongmynsong, Pynthorbah, Demseiñiong, Lower Mawprem and Kynjat Phutbal) have been asked to submit the list of BPL families in their respective localities.
“The beneficiaries should possess BPL cards to be eligible for allotment of the housing units,” she said.
Earlier, GAD Minister AL Hek lauded the UPA Government for coming up with this programme to provide poor families with shelter.
‘I would to like to urge the executing agency to speed up the completion of the project so that more BPL families can be benefitted from the project,” Hek said.
Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma was supposed to inaugurate the project but could not do so as he is in Garo Hills.
It may be mentioned that the contract for implementing of the project had been awarded to Hindustan Prefab Limited (HPL).