Mamata gives more power to economically weaker sections to upgrade houses

Kolkata: The Mamata Banerjee government has decided to give financial assistance to economically weaker sections under the "Gitanjali" scheme to help them undertake extension of their houses.

According to a memorandum of the state government's Housing Department, the financial assistance will be provided to assist hundreds of people to carry out development work of their dwelling houses.

It may be mentioned that the decision has been taken to give 50 percent of the unit cost "for upgradation or extension of existing dwelling pucca houses of the beneficiaries in urban areas". It has also been stated that the beneficiaries will have to have extra land in their possession to carry out the extension work of the existing houses. It may be mentioned that Rs 35,000 will be provided to each of the beneficiaries under the scheme. The applicants have to follow all the necessary norms to avail the benefit. It may be mentioned that besides providing financial assistance for carrying out extension work of the existing pucca houses, the Mamata Banerjee government has taken several steps in the past six years to provide better shelter to people from the economically weaker sections and those who are Below Poverty Line.

It was in October that the state government introduced "Banglar Bari" project to provide flats to people leaving Below Poverty Line in municipality areas and the decision was taken to ensure permanent shelters to people from the financially weaker sections.

Under the project, four-storeyed buildings would be constructed in municipal areas for those staying Below Poverty Line and it was decided to construct the multi-storeyed building considering the scarcity of land in such urban areas. Most importantly, priority was given to provide flats to the families that are being headed by the womenfolk.

Moreover, under the state government's "Nijo Bhumi Nijo Griha" scheme a financial assistance of Rs 2.79 lakh is being given to each of the beneficiaries to build houses.

Now, the decision to provide financial assistance to carry out the extension work of the pucca houses under "Gitanjali" will again help the beneficiaries to improve their way of living.