EMS scheme to help the poor
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The State government is implementing the programme through local bodies. BIJU GOVIND says the work will give a boost to the construction sector.
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— Photo: S. Ramesh Kurup
Fillip to construction sector: An affordable housing project in Kozhikode. The EMS Housing Scheme will make the concept popular.
The Kozhikode Corporation has embarked on an ambitious housing programme envisaged by the State government under the EMS Housing Scheme. At least 2,000 families in 55 wards in the city are expected to benefit from the project drawn up for the economically backward communities.
Deputy Mayor P.T. Abdul Latheef says the Corporation council has approved an ad hoc list of beneficiaries for the housing project. Scrutiny of the plots and houses and finalisation of the prospective beneficiaries are being carried out. “The multi-crore project will bring in a sea change in the concept of affordable housing,” he says.
The EMS scheme has been given top priority in the 11th Plan in the wake of the rising number of homeless people in the State. Approximately five lakh people in the lower strata of society do not own a house. Of this, 1.3 lakh belong to the Scheduled Caste communities and two lakh have no land in their possession.
The government is implementing the programme through the local bodies in the State. The project will ensure that the landless people will get a plot and financial aid for constructing houses and those having land will get the housing assistance.
Planners have worked out four basic criteria to execute the project. Financial assistance will be given to those who do not have houses as on September 30, 2009; secondly, funds will be utilised to help the landless get land for constructing a house, thirdly, those who have availed themselves of assistance from the government earlier for constructing a house but had not completed their house will come under the project; and lastly, funds will be given for repairing the houses constructed under the “Lakshamveedu” housing project.
The beneficiaries will also get financial assistance for electrification of houses; construction of toilets and bathrooms; taking water supply connections from the Kerala Water Authority; digging of wells; rainwater harvesting; and installation of smokeless chimneys.
The project will be completed in 2011. A sum of Rs.4,000 crore will be needed to implement the project at the State level.
Beneficiaries in the general category will get an assistance of Rs.75,000 each; Scheduled Caste category, Rs.1 lakh and Scheduled Tribe, Rs.1.25 lakh; physically and mentally challenged persons, Rs.1.25 lakh and Ashraya families, Rs.1.25 lakh.
The project will increase job opportunities in the State at a time when the economic situation in the country is still to come out of the woods. The project is expected to help the construction sector tide over the slump.
The Corporation can take a 10-year loan from cooperative or commercial banks for implementing the project in the city. The civic body can also obtain 15 per cent of the resources from the annual development funds for the purpose. If the plan allocation for 2009-2010 is Rs.100 lakh , the Corporation can take a loan of Rs.150 lakh for the scheme for 10 years. The government will deduct Rs.15 lakh each year for 10 years.
The government will shoulder the burden of interest on the loan amount.
The project is the first of its kind being implemented in the country. The State expects a substantial portion of funds from the Centre apart from mobilisation from other means. An EMS Housing Fund has been formed to implement this massive scheme.
The Corporations will get the benefit of implementing the scheme under the Centrally sponsored Integrated Housing and Slum Development Programme (IHDP) and the Basic Services for Urban Poor (BSUP). However, the civic bodies will have to mobilise additional resources through its own funds.
Guidelines
Prof. Latheef says the government has given broad guidelines for selecting the beneficiaries in each ward of the Corporation. Preference will be given to people belonging to the Below Poverty line (BPL) category. The landless families, including those belonging to the fishing community and not included in the BPL category, will get the benefit.
An average 40 persons from each ward will get the benefit.
A voluntary implementation committee involving elected representatives and officials has been formed to monitor the scheme at the ward level.
The government will also provide assistance to obtain construction materials and designing the house.
The civic bodies will take steps to organise the labour groups for construction activities. Community housing programmes will be implemented to help the beneficiaries obtain regular employment in their new neighbourhood.
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