State govt to build 8.3 lakh houses for the rural poor

Kolkata: The state government has decided to construct 8.30 lakh houses for poor

people living in the rural

areas, under the Banglar Bari project.

The houses will be constructed in the current financial year. In the 2018-19 financial year, 5.86 lakh houses have been built under the project, while in the current financial year, another 2.50 lakh houses will be set up. The houses will be built by the Panchayat and Rural Development department.

The district magistrates have been asked to prepare a list of beneficiaries. The Central government will bear 60% of the cost, while 40% cost will be borne by the state government. The toilets will be constructed under Mission Nirmal Bangla project.

The area of the houses will be 25 sq metres. There will be one room, a kitchen, a balcony and a toilet in each. It has been decided that in Jangalmahal, the beneficiaries will get Rs 1.30 lakh while their counterparts in other areas will get Rs 1.20 lakh.

It may be mentioned that stress has been given on eight districts in this regard, namely South and North 24-Parganas, East and West Midnapore, Howrah, Hooghly, Murshidabad and East Burdwan.

The ministry of Rural Development has increased the financial allotment in the current financial year, on the basis of the good performance of the state government in the last financial year.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has instructed that every house will bear the Banglar Bari tag. Under the project, the beneficiaries can decorate the houses on their own.

A similar project for the urban poor has also been taken up. Around 8 lakh people living in the city and suburbs will be brought under the scheme. Around Rs 3.75 lakh will be allotted to construct each house under the project.