Centre to states; allot land to homeless families

In an unique initiative, the Centre has asked states to allot land to a female member of homeless families so that they can be provided with funds for construction of homes under a recently launched scheme.

Under the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana (PMAY), the Centre is aiming to construct more than 2 crore houses by 2022 for families from lower income group or economically weaker sections, which will be supplemented with power, water and LPG connections.

Out of these 60 per cent houses will be constructed for the homeless and those living in kachcha houses belonging to SC and ST communities, Minister of State for Rural Development Ram Kripal Yadav said.

He said government will directly transfer Rs 1,20,000 into the account of beneficiaries in the plain areas. Besides this, they will also be provided Rs 12,000 for toilets construction and 90 days of work under MNREGA which is equivalent to Rs 18,000.