PAMNJIM, AUG 27
The Department of Panchayat intends to dispose off all pending applications under Rajiv Awas Yojna (RAY) before Ganesh festival next month.
A person having annual income of less than Rs 1 lakh is entitled to apply under this scheme either for construction of a new house or repairs of the old house.
For construction of a new house, the applicant can avail of financial assistance upto Rs 25,000 which is released in two instalments whereas for repairs, assistance given is Rs 12,500.
The Department of Panchayat, a nodal agency to implement the scheme in rural areas has received over 150 applications which it wants to dispose off before Ganesh festival.
“We are working hard to ensure that all applications are cleared before the Ganesh Festival,” said Menino D’Souza, Director of Panchayat.
In 2009-2010 budget the government had made provision of Rs 2 .2 crore for Panchayat Department for implementation of the scheme whereas provision for 2010- 2011 has been Rs 2 crore.
The provision was well utilised last year — about Rs 50 lakh were utilised in rebuilding houses in Canacona taluka that was badly affected by flood, he said.
