Manipur, June 16 -- High time to increase housing scheme fund, says Mirabai

MLA of Patsoi constituency, Akoijam Mirabai Devi has today pointed out the need of increasing the amount of financial assistance given under Housing for All scheme.

She stated this during the inaugural function of 11 houses constructed under MLA Local Area Development Fund of 19-Patsoi assembly constituency, held at Changangei Community Hall toda. The inauguration was organised by Construction Committee of MLA Local Area Development Fund. As part of the programme, two Aganwadi centres were also inaugurated.

Delivering her speech, Mirabai stated that the houses were constructed on priority basis with an objective to achieve the target of 'Housing for All by 2022' mission. It is taken up as a part of welfare programme that comes under Local Area Development Fund. These welfare programmes are monitored by a committee so called 'Construction Committee of MLA Local Area Development Fund'.

"This is not the end, under this committee various welfare programmes will be also taken up so that citizen of my constituency could stand on their own feet. Even this year, we are targeting to construct more than 100 houses," she declared.

Stating that the housing scheme was initiated by central government, she said that the amount sanctioned under the scheme, Rs. 1.5 lakh, is too meagre and not practical anymore in present days. It is not even manageable to construct lowest cost three-room house. "There is a pressing need of enhancing the scheme amount to at least to Rs 2 lakh otherwise beneficiaries cannot build a durable house, she suggested and appealed the authority concerned to draw attention.

Mirabai also assured of extending possible support from time to time according to the needs and requirements of the constituency.

One of the guests of honour of today's function, deputy commissioner of Imphal West, Naorem Praveen said that government of India is planning to converge Housing Scheme with Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guaranteed Act (MGNREGA).

Further he continued that this policy will help to standardise the quality of house constructed under housing scheme as the wages cost of construction of houses will be incurred from MGNREGA. The state government is also trying to adopt this new policy from this year.

Emphasising the unpredictable rainfall of the state, he encouraged people of the state to conserve rain water by keeping the water bodies like ponds, lake clean. Besides this, people should promote afforestation as the root cause of scanty rainfall and flash flood is deforestation.

The programme is attended by all the grass-root level political representatives of Patsoi constituency as dignitaries.