Chandigarh.21 December,2020:Today in a programme organized at the premises of the Chandigarh Housing Board, Shri Nityanand Rai, Hon’ble Minister of State for Home, Govt of India, handed over possession letters and keys of houses at Maloya to 15 families under Affordable Rental Housing Scheme. He congratulated all the 1700 beneficiaries of the Affordable Rental Scheme and asked them to maintain cleanliness and hygiene. He stated that two room flats with kitchen space, bath & Latrine and balcony will provide them dignified living. The Hon’ble Minister appreciated efforts of the UT Administration for providing houses to the migrant laborers, Street Vendors, Industrial workers and other poor persons. He also congratulated the UT Administration for being the first among all the States/UTs, in the Country to implement the Affordable Rental Housing Complexes (ARHCs) Scheme and also completing about 80% target within such a short period. He advised the administration to ensure that all the beneficiaries of the ARHC scheme are linked with other welfare schemes like Ayushman Bharat, cooking gas pipeline, and Direct Benefit Transfer Schemes initiated by Hon’ble Prime Minister. The Hon’ble Minister stated that government is committed for the welfare of farmers, migrant laborers and women.
Shri Manoj Parida, Adviser to Administrator & Chairman Chandigarh Housing Board, stated that the Chandigarh has relocated about 1700 families within a short period of 02 months. He also stated that all the allottees have been provided water & electricity connections on the day of possession and most of them have started living in the good atmosphere.
Ms. Rajbala Malik, Mayor Municipal Corporation and other senior officers of the UT Administration attended the function.
About the Scheme
Post COVID-19, Hon’ble Prime Minister has given clarion call for “Aatma Nirbhar Bharat” to promote economic activities. Aligned with this vision, the Govt of India, has initiated Affordable Rental Housing Complexes (ARHCs) as a pro-poor and significant step for urban migrants/ poor. This initiative is being taken up for the first time in the country to improve their living conditions and obviate them from staying in slums, informal settlements or peri-urban areas. Utilizing existing Government funded vacant houses in cities by converting them into ARHCs, these will provide them dignified living with all civic amenities Beneficiaries for ARHCs scheme will include EWS/LIG categories who are urban migrants/poor. They include street vendors, rickshaw pullers, and other service providers, industrial workers along with migrants working with market/trade associations, educational/health institutions, hospitality sector long term tourists/visitors, students or any other category.
About Implementation of ARHCs in Chandigarh
The Chandigarh Administration appointed the Chandigarh Housing Board as State Level Nodal Agency and Concessionaire for the Scheme. The initial monthly rent has been fixed as Rs 3000/- with biennially enhancement by 8% and the maximum rental period under the scheme is 25 years.
2195 vacant small flats at Maloya were earmarked and it was decided to relocate occupants of Pre-Fab Shelters at Sector-52 & 56 under the ARHC Scheme. The CHB has allotted 1703 flats to the families staying in Pre-Fab Shelters. This will provide dignified living to about 7000 persons. Now these families can concentrate more on the education of their children in better environment. About 500 more families will be provided similar flats on affordable rent of Rs. 3000 per month.
This initiative has not only provided an opportunity for dignified living to the families staying in the Pre-Fab Shelters but the government land worth more than Rs. 1000 crores have also been recovered.
