By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Union Minister of Rural Development Jairam Ramesh has agreed to the suggestion of Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma to converge the Centrally-sponsored Indira Awaas Yojana (IAY) with the State’s own initiative – the Affordable Housing Scheme.
After his meeting with Ramesh on Thursday, Chief Minister informed that the Union Minister has agreed to merge the two schemes.
“The convergence would mean better housing facilities at an affordable price for BPL families of the State,” Dr Sangma said.
While informing that the Union Minister was impressed with his suggestion, Dr Sangma said that the IAY provides for a one-room accommodation but by converging the IAY with the State’s housing scheme more living space could be provided to the poor.
The Chief Minister informed that he has requested the Union Ministry to try to release the State’s fund entitlement in full so that Meghalaya can embark on the new initiative for the benefit of the poor and the homeless.
The Chief Minister stated that even though the Economic Census was underway, the State Government will not wait till the publication of the Census report to initiate steps for inclusion of ‘poor and needy’ families in the BPL list of the State.
Dr Sangma cited a Supreme Court ruling which stated that the State Government can include genuine families left out of the BPL list after determining the same.