Port Blair, Mar 22: A one-of-a-kind activity, which has ever been undertaken in the A & N Islands, is the allotment of house sites to 69 landless beneficiaries of Rutland (49), Chidiyatapu (15) and Beodnabad (05) for construction of their own house under Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana (Gramin). This herculean task of land allotment to the beneficiaries was possible due to the close coordination between District Administration and RD Department.
The scheme aims to provide Pucca houses with basic amenities with the financial assistance of Rs. 1.20 lakhs, 90 days (for Rs. 24,030/-) through MGNREGA and Rs. 12,000 for construction of toilet through SBM (G).
The 69 beneficiaries have been allotted land of 50 sqm each at Kodiyaghat under Gram Panchayat Beodnabad. The land so provided, however, required some development and levelling of the existing hill before any type of construction could be undertaken. This was the first time when any type of developmental activity had been undertaken at such a vast level under any particular scheme.
The Director (RD) visited the Kodiyaghat site and interacted with the 69 beneficiaries who have been released their 1st installment of Rs. 60,000 each, busy in constructing their houses.
One beneficiary, Shri. Marcus Horo, was elated to inform that earlier his children had to stay away from family in Child Care Institutions and Ashrams within city limits for education purposes, at least after the construction of his new house, they will all get to stay together.
Another beneficiary Shri. Meghnath Singh happily informed that even for daily supplies, they had to go through dinghies and visit city areas every time. With the new house, most of his time earlier spent travelling can now be utilised on earning livelihood for his family.
Also, a beneficiary, Shri Marcus Bhushan, informed that basic medical facilities can now be availed easily for which they had to travel through boats and dinghies to reach the nearest hospital i.e. Garacharma PHC. He further stated that other daily needs can now be easily accessed.
The A&N Administration has been resolutely implementing this flagship scheme of the Government of India.The beneficiaries showed their gratitude to the Govt. of India and are highly thankful to the A & N Administration for their endless efforts in providing “Housing for all”.
