Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad   

The elusive `dream home'

Staff Reporter

Delay in the implementation of VAMBAY scheme

CONTRASTING PICTURE: A view of a slum in Bagh Lingampally. - Photo: P.V. Sivakumar

HYDERABAD: Their dream was to have a solid roof over their heads, and they did all they could for that. Running after officials, mustering with great difficulty the money required, filling up application form after form for bank loans and what not. Still, a permanent shelter eludes residents of Bhagatsingh Nagar, Shyamprasad Nagar and Palamuru Basti.

These slums in Bagh Lingampally have been long-standing entries on the list for houses under the Valmiki Ambedkar Awas Yojana (VAMBAY). Though other slums selected along with them for the rehabilitation project have been relocated, inordinate delay has confined these dwellers to their mucky slums.

"We were asked to pay Rs. 6, 000 in the form of demand draft towards the total cost of Rs. 60,000. The Central subsidy was Rs. 30,000 while the bank loan component was Rs. 24,000. We did all that was asked of us, but three years later, we have no homes," says one of the slum dwellers. The former MLA, K. Laxman, who had initiated the project, alleges that officials are delaying allotment of houses under pressure from the State Government. "The construction began in 2002, it should have been over by now and the houses should have been allotted to the beneficiaries long ago," he says.

According to Dr. Laxman, people of Bhagatsingh Nagar and other slums along with it, which were selected for the housing project, had been living in the slums for over 30 years. "They did not have proper drinking water or any other basic amenity. To ensure all this under VAMBAY, we had earmarked four blocks for their rehabilitation. There were slight problems in relocation from a few slum dwellers, but all the issues were settled long ago and every formality completed from the residents' part. Still, the State Government is yet to allot houses. Why?" he asks.

Allotment in 15 days?

The Housing Corporation's district manager, Ch. Venkateshwar Reddy, says construction is in the `finishing stages'. "Allotment will be completed in 15 days," he claims.

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