“VALMIKI AMEBEDKAR MALIN BASTI AWAS YOJANA”.

The Government of India Ministry of Urban Development have recently launched “VALMIKI AMEBEDKAR MALIN BASTI AWAS YOJANA” (VAMBAY), which will be operated through HUDCO. The objective of the new scheme is to provide shelter and to upgrade existing shelter for Below Poverty Line (BPL) families in urban areas.

As VAMBAY targets the BPL families in urban areas, it is a highly appropriate scheme for providing/improving/upgrading the quality of living environment of urban slum dwellers (BPL) who do not possess adequate shelter. It will certainly be useful in tackling problems of expanding slums, unlawful occupation and encroachments as also those of shortage of urban housing stock and inadequacy of urban infrastructure.

OBJECTIVE OF THE PROJECT :

This project intends to provide housing along with physical infrastructure to the urban poor. The objective of the new scheme is to provide shelter and to upgrade existing shelter and to upgrade existing shelter for Below Poverty Line (BPL) families in urban areas.

IDENTIFICATION OF BENEFICISRIES.

The USDA and DUDAs in consulting with municipal bodies will identify the beneficiary families. As there are no urban local bodies in the state, the selection of beneficiaries has to be done by the DUDAs at district or census town level and by the suda at the state level. This identification of BPL beneficiary families will be on the basis of the baseline survey already conducted by the DUDAs under Swarna Jayanti Shahari Rojga Yojana (SJSRY).

19. Allotment of new houses and Title of land-plots shall be preferably in the name of the woman member of the household. The land has to be provided by State Government either in situ or partly in situ and partly by relocation. As most of the urban slum dwellers are illegally occupying the land, the project will necessitate regularization of illegal occupation. Subject to master plans of townships. Notification about Right of Way and various conditions of land allotment.

No provision is made under the project for land acquisition.

Funding pattern.

20. Based on the allocation, the central government will release subsidy/grant (50 % of project cost) for the state to the HUDCO. The state has to submit its project to HUDCO with the indication about the source of raising the balance 50 % of the funds required for the project. This project will be then checked and submitted by HUDCO to the Ministry of Urban Development. After sanction, HUDCO intimate sanction to the State Government, asking them to deposit the State Share of 50% in the accounts of the designed implanting agency (UD department). On receipt of such certificate, HUDCO will release the grant portion to UD department or DUDAs concerned.

Option for Raising State Share.

21. The state government may provide the 50 % of project cost ( Rs. 3.6 crores) through state plan or by taking loan from the HUDCO or through beneficiary contributions. If loan is to be availed from HUDCO, land will be mortage to State Government or implementing Agency. In absence of Land Settlement and Regulation Acts, government guarantees – in place of land – have to be the mortgage for loan. The rates of interest will be 10 % per annum. I such case, HUDCO will release both the subsidy and the loan to SUDA/DUDAs. If we raise 50 % of the project cost through beneficiary contribution (Rs. 22500 for each BPL beneficiary family), this contribution may come in the form of labour costs. Local material cost (timber or planks or bamboo). But HUDCO will release grant component only after the State Share (beneficiary contribution) is deposited in accounts of identified agencies. I have talked to the Regional Chief of HUDCO in this regard and we hope to get a confirmation soon. But meanwhile, HUDCO has asked us to submit detailed project report approval from the government.

INDIVISUAL HOUSE UNDER VAMBAY.

For difficult areas, the scheme envisages individual houses with maximum cost of rs. 45000 and with minimum plinth area of 15 sqm. Of the total upper ceiling of Rs. 45000, mandatory provision of Rs. 7500 has to be made for provision of common infrastructure, like approach roads, water supply, dustbin and storm water drain. The remaining amount of Rs. 37500 is meant for contribution of house with sanitary latrine.

Considering the susceptibility of the region to earthquake, we may go for “Semi-Permament” (SPT) construction with raised split bamboo or wooden plank flooring on CC pillars, bamboo or plank walling and CGI sheet roofing on timber trusses. This will help us in limiting the unit cost of a house and sanitary latrine to Rs. 37500, while keeping provision for extension of the house in future.

We need to promote the use of local technology and materials in actual construction. Further the imvolvement of beneficiaries has to be promoted to ensure that houses are actually constructed, living environment is improved substantially, the colonies are regularized only as per master plans/ government regulation and encroachment is curtainled. The guidelines lay down that VAMBAY projects will be sanctioned only as per approved layout plans of the urban areas with assured infrastructure facilities, like water supply.