CSMC insists on Rs 1L single instalment from PMAY beneficiaries

Lokmat News Network

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar:

An online lottery under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) was conducted last month, in which 4,788 beneficiaries were selected. Beneficiaries are required to pay 10 per cent of the total amount themselves. This amount is approximately Rs 1 lakh, and the municipal corporation has made it mandatory to pay it in a single instalment.

Municipal Commissioner Amol Yedge, during a meeting held on Wednesday, directed contractors to actively coordinate with banks to facilitate loans for beneficiaries to cover the remaining amount.

A meeting with contractors was held in the commissioner’s office. The civic chief said that contractors should set up a call centre to provide proper information and guidance to beneficiaries, which would make it easier to track the process. The list of beneficiaries selected through the online lottery will be shared with the contractors.

Additional Commissioner Kalpita Pimple, deputy commissioner Aparna Thete, executive engineer Vijay Gore, along with contractors and their representatives, were present at the meeting.

Construction of 11,000 Houses

Under the PMAY, construction of 11,120 houses is underway at Padegaon, Harsul, Tisgaon, and Sunderwadi. A total of 5,177 beneficiaries applied by depositing Rs 5,000 as earnest money. The lottery was conducted across 12 categories, out of which 4,788 beneficiaries were selected.

At present, the municipal corporation is facing a situation where the number of houses exceeds the number of willing beneficiaries, raising the question of allocation.

Beneficiaries gradually withdrawing

Most beneficiaries under the scheme belong to economically weaker sections (EWS) who had taken loans in the hope of securing a house. Paying Rs 1 lakh in a single instalment is not feasible for them. Beneficiaries had requested the corporation to allow payment in installments. However, if instalments are not permitted, many are now reluctant to accept the houses at all.