ANANTAPUR: The State Government is apparently considering about winding up the Rajiv Gruhakalpa scheme -- multi-storeyed housing for the poor in urban areas -- mainly due to poor response from beneficiaries.

Instead, it is contemplating a new integrated housing development programme under Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission. The unit cost under the new scheme has been estimated at Rs. 80,000 against Rs. 37,500 under Rajiv Gruhakalpa.

Project report given

Official sources said they had received orders last month from the Government seeking a detailed project report on the possible demand and accordingly a project report was sent recently. The exercise is being viewed as a pre-emptive step to wind up Rajiv Gruhakalpa.

Of the 8,400 units allotted to the district under Rajiv Gruhakalpa last year, only 7,728 beneficiaries had registered them by paying Rs. 1,000 each. The works could not progress due to lack of enthusiasm among the beneficiaries in paying their contribution of Rs. 7,500 each. The cold response of the bankers in financing the housing scheme also played a key role in hampering it.

As a result, only about 300 beneficiaries had paid Rs. 7,500 each as their contribution for taking up construction at Anantapur, Hindupur, Tadipatri, Guntakal, Rayadurg, Dharmavaram and Kadiri. But, only 16 units were started in Dharmavaram and were under completion.

Initial plan

Initially the State Government had planned ground plus two floors in each apartment under Rajiv Gruhakalpa. But, poor response had forced it to restrict to the ground plus first floor. Dislike for apartment type of lifestyle among the urban poor, problems like parking of vehicles, cooking on firewood, water storage and planning of houses far away from towns have kept the response very poor.

A majority of beneficiaries later refused to deposit the beneficiary contribution after learning about the problems of living in apartments.

Under the proposed new scheme, the Government subsidy is likely to be Rs. 64,000 with beneficiary contribution of Rs. 8,000.

The remaining Rs. 8,000 can be met either through bank loan or payment by the beneficiaries themselves, if willing.

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