Extending support to flood-ravaged Uttarakhand, The Rural Development Ministry has doubled the allocation of housing units in the State under Indira Awas Yojna by 14,000.
The details of the relief package were disclosed by Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh on Friday in a letter to Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna.
Mr. Ramesh said the state was allocated 14,012 housing units under Indira Awas Yojna (IAY) for which central allocation was Rs. 78.82 crore for 2013-14.
"We could consider a special package under IAY for Uttarakhand which would involve additional 14,000 units. I would request for specific proposals from the state and I assure of our fullest and speedy cooperation in the matter," Mr. Ramesh said in the letter.
Previously, Mr. Ramesh had announced a separate package worth Rs. 336 crore for the state to construct roads. The present decision to increase the allocation of housing units and construction of roads is independent of the sum allocated under Prime Minister's Grameen Sadak Yojna (PMGSY).
Noting the “extraordinary situation" he said the Ministry is making an "additional" offer to the state over and above these proposals that have been cleared under PMGSY.
"We would be prepared to consider and clear additional proposals for upgrading of such routes not covered under PMGSY in Rudraprayag, Chamoli, Uttarkashi, Pithoragarh and Bageshwar districts," Mr. Ramesh added.
The ministry shall consider "expeditious consideration and clearance" after receiving proposals from the government within the balance upgrading target.
"I would suggest that we begin with a portfolio of something like 500 km and if that is insufficient, we can always increase," said Mr. Ramesh.
