Violence erupts between TMC factions over Bengal government’s re-survey of PMAY beneficiary list: What’s the controversy? , peppermint

West Bengal Housing Scheme Violence: Tension has risen in West Bengal’s South 24 Parganas district after the Mamata Banerjee government released the list of beneficiaries for the state’s housing scheme. The announcement sparked violent protests and allegations of corruption.

West Bengal housing scheme: Protests between TMC factions

Clashes broke out between two factions of Trinamool Congress in Gosaba-Bali area on Wednesday, following which local residents started protesting. The protesters accused the Sundarban Development Minister and the local MLA of corruption in compiling the beneficiary list under the housing scheme.

Reports indicate that the situation turned violent, with protesters setting fire to several motorcycles to express their dissatisfaction.

West Bengal Housing Scheme: Government’s assurance amid concerns

In response to the unrest, the West Bengal government has assured the public that there will be a double verification process before removing any name from the beneficiary list. Chief advisor to CM Mamata Banerjee, Alapan Bandyopadhyay, said the aim of the re-survey is to identify persons who have either settled down or left the state.

Bandyopadhyay said, “There are lakhs of people who are waiting to build their houses after getting funds from the Center under the Housing Scheme (Rural). But they are unable to build their houses because the Center has stopped allocating funds. ” He emphasized that the state has decided to provide the entire amount required for housing construction.

West Bengal Housing Scheme: Solution to corruption allegations

Alapan Bandyopadhyay also addressed allegations of nepotism and corruption, confirming that the government has ordered re-verification of housing scheme beneficiaries. New guidelines have been issued to facilitate this process.

“WWB is ready to provide housing fund to the people of Bengal in the event of ongoing shortage by the Centre. In the light of the same, a re-survey will be conducted to facilitate housing fund for those who have lost their houses. Various natural and man-made disasters,” he said.

West Bengal Housing Scheme: A change in funding strategy

Bandyopadhyay further explained the change in funding strategy, highlighting that in the original plan the central government would contribute 60% while the state would provide 40%. However, due to lack of financial support from the Centre, the state has stepped in to ensure housing for its residents.

“They will get Rs 1.20 lakh from the state government,” he said, stressing that the survey will also estimate the damage caused by recent natural disasters, including floods and cyclone Dana.

West Bengal Housing Scheme: State officials meet to resolve issues

Chief Secretary Manoj Pant chaired a meeting with district magistrates to discuss the ongoing housing scheme and resurvey process. He directed officials to carry out the re-survey with a “humanitarian approach”, ensuring that eligible persons are not overlooked.

Aiming to include more people under the housing scheme, CM Mamata Banerjee met senior officials to adjust the rules. According to a Times of India report, this could potentially include two-wheeler owners and individuals whose houses are partially made of concrete, as well as vulnerable groups like the elderly, people with disabilities and women-headed households. -Tracking applications may also be included in this.

West Bengal Housing Scheme: Implementation of new norms

As a result of the recent tension, officials have been directed to ensure implementation of the new norms for inclusion of beneficiaries as per the instructions of the CM. The preliminary survey conducted in mid-October significantly omitted names in districts such as Malda and Nadia, raising concerns over transparency and fairness.

Alapan Bandyopadhyay assured the public that no eligible beneficiary should be left out of the housing list except those already covered under the Cha Sundari scheme. The upcoming re-survey will verify the addresses, housing status and other economic factors of the beneficiaries, allaying the concerns of those already listed.

He also mentioned that the Centre’s failure to release MNREGA funds prompted the state to launch the Karmashree project, which generated 23 crore man days of work for 43 lakh workers. In response to the lack of funds for rural roads, Bengal launched the Pathoshree Project, which successfully constructed 25,000 km of roads across the state.