Question : CONSTRUCTION OF HOUSES UNDER IAY

(a) the number of homeless/shelterless people in the country as on date, State-wise;

(b) whether the housing scheme under Bharat Nirman has achieved its fixed target and objectives;

(c) if so the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;

(d) whether the Government proposes to construct houses for all categories of BPL families and if so, the details thereof;

(e) the criteria adopted for fund allocation and the details of the funds allocated/released/utilized under the Indira Awas Yojana (IAY) alongwith the number of kutcha/pucca houses constructed/to be constructed by indicating the beneficiaries covered/to be covered thereunder during each year of the Eleventh Five Year Plan, State-wise`

(f) whether certain States have requested for additional funds and some have not utilized the allocated funds and if so, the details thereof alongwith the additional funds provided, if any, to each such State; and

(g) the steps taken to ensure effective utilization of funds and achieving of targets within stipulated time frame ?

MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (DR. C. P. JOSHI)

(a) to (g): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

Statement referred to in reply to Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 243 due for answer on 15.3.2010

(a) As per the information furnished by the Office of Registrar General of India based on 2001 Census, total housing shortage in rural areas throughout the country was 148.33 lakh. A Statement showing the housing shortage in rural areas of the country is at Annexure -I.

(b)& (c) Under Bharat Nirman Programme, 60 lakh houses were envisaged to be constructed through Indira Awaas Yojana during the four years i.e. from 2005-06 to 2008-2009. However against this target, 71.76 lakh houses were constructed thereby exceeding the target of Bharat Nirman.

(d) Indira Awaas Yojana (IAY) Scheme is meant for all categories of BPL families. 60% of the funds available under IAY are required to be utilized for SC/ST, 15% for minorities and 3% for disabled.

(e) The criteria for allocation of IAY funds to the States & UTs involves 75% weightage to housing shortage and 25% to poverty ratio. A Statement showing the State-wise funds allocated, released, utilized, physical target and houses constructed year-wise during the Eleventh Five Year is at Annexure-II.

(f) Under the Scheme, targets are fixed on year to year basis depending upon the availability of funds. As IAY is an allocation based scheme no request is required from State Governments for additional funds. However, an amount upto 10% of the district`s annual allocation under IAY or Rs.70 lakh (including state share), whichever is higher, can be released for reconstruction of houses damaged due to floods, fire, riot, arson etc. out of natural calamity component of IAY. Further, during the year 2008-09 out of the Economic Stimulus Package, special packages for construction of houses in Naxal affected areas, Border areas, Kala-azar affected areas and for Primitive Tribal Groups were also sanctioned. A statement showing the amount released under such categories and balance IAY funds during the 11th Five Year Plan is at Annexure-III.

(g) In order to ensure effective utilization of funds, the scheme is closely monitored through monthly progress reports, conduct of monthly meetings of the coordinating officers of IAY, quarterly meetings of the State Secretaries, annual conference of the Project Directors of District Rural Development Agencies (DRDAs) and field inspections by Area Officers of the Ministry and Third Party agencies.