Ranchi: The directorate of municipal administration has set a target to secure approval for one lakh new houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U) this year. A total of 73,000 beneficiaries have been selected through fresh surveys and 44,000 verified at present.The directorate, a part of the state urban development and housing department, directed urban local bodies (ULBs) to invite new applications from eligible families through publicity campaigns, camps, and outreach activities. The civic bodies have also been directed to fast-track the construction of houses under the scheme.During a review meeting on Wednesday, director of municipal administration Nancy Sahay said, “Around 14,000 houses currently at the foundation and lintel stages would be brought to the roof level within the next month, and those at the roof level be completed by Sept.”“The work of pending geo-tagging across various stages must be promptly completed, and weekly targets be set for construction completion,” she added.Stating that funds for house construction have been made available to all civic bodies, Sahay called for the disbursement of instalments to beneficiaries to be expedited to ensure rapid progress. ULBs have been instructed to request further funds from the directorate of urban administration after utilising 80 per cent of allocated funds.Reviewing the third component (affordable housing projects) of PMAY-U, the director instructed that the number of home loan applications submitted to banks by interested beneficiaries be increased. Mandates were also issued to ensure 100 per cent allotment of houses, both completed and under construction, under the affordable housing projects.ULBs that have not yet initiated the payment process for beneficiaries would face disciplinary action, she warned.
