BHUBANESWAR: In a bid to streamline the allotment process of houses in several affordable housing projects in Bhubaneswar, the housing and urban development department has assigned specific tasks to the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) and the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC).
A high-level meeting was convened recently under the chairpersonship of department secretary Usha Padhee to discuss issues pertaining to both agencies and the central theme was the allotment of houses in the affordable housing projects grounded by the BDA for slum-dwellers.
As per the task assigned, BDA was asked to take up more affordable housing projects based on requirements and hand them over to BMC for allotment purposes. “BDA shall examine handing over the completed and ongoing projects to BMC,” read the minutes of the meeting.
The department has also asked both BDA and BMC to work out plans for identifying beneficiaries for the housing project on par with Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana 2.0 and potential solutions and a plan of action for the allotment of houses under In-Situ Slum Redevelopment projects.
The department has given 15 days’ time to the BDA and BMC to complete the two tasks. It has also asked for the formation of a committee to review exceptional cases as well as other issues related to the eligibility of project-affected people.
To help the beneficiaries with financial support, the department officials have planned to organise a meeting with the banks to facilitate financial linkages for beneficiaries. “The discussions are particularly aimed to streamline coordination between BMC and BDA for the affordable housing projects,” Padhee said.
BDA and BMC were also directed to take steps on priority for the allotment of houses for the beneficiaries living in transit houses. “There were some issues in beneficiary identification and house allotment for which the meeting was convened at the top level,” a senior civic body official said.
Officials have also discussed commencing the second phase of the Mahisakhal project. “An amount of Rs 25.40 crore is required for the construction of G+4 storied blocks with 160 flats at Mahisakhal Project Phase II. In this regard, BDA will send a proposal to the department for approval,” the minutes of the meeting read.
