PORVORIM: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced on Monday that the state government will roll out a new housing scheme for the homeless, based on the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana but tailored specifically for Goa. He revealed that two areas of government land in Pernem have been earmarked for the project, where 1BHK flats will be constructed.
Sawant stated that issues surrounding housing for the homeless would be addressed within two months, noting that applicants must possess a 30-year resident certificate to qualify.
During a calling attention motion, Curchorem MLA Nilesh Cabral raised the need for a housing scheme for the homeless, emphasizing that those who have migrated to Goa and are living on the streets are not included in this category.
The demand for a state-specific scheme garnered unanimous support from both the treasury and opposition benches. MLAs emphasized the importance of defining ‘homeless’ and suggested conducting a survey to identify those in need. There were calls for the government to appoint a contractor to handle construction and for an integration of all existing state schemes.
Sawant further noted that the government currently allocates Rs 1.5 lakh for home repairs and Rs 3 lakh for new constructions, and assured that panchayats would issue construction licenses promptly.
Social Welfare Minister Subhash Phal Dessai highlighted that beneficiaries often misuse funds, spending them on non-essential items such as two-wheelers, which hinders the submission of utilization certificates. He proposed that if the Chief Minister permits the appointment of a contractor for building houses, the allocated funds would be better utilized.
Speaker Ramesh Tawadkar mentioned that a minimum of Rs 8 lakh is necessary to construct a home on a small plot, while St. Andre MLA Viresh Borkar suggested that the government conduct a survey to accurately identify the homeless.
Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai pointed out the growing calls for an agency to implement the housing scheme, questioning whether it would be feasible to build houses with the budget of Rs 1.5 lakh and Rs 3 lakh. He criticized the scheme as a “joke” and urged the Chief Minister to clarify how additional funds could be secured.
Opposition Leader Yuri Alemao asserted that no survey to identify the homeless has been conducted in the past decade. He called for a land bank policy and a transparent online portal for scheme applications.
Bicholim MLA Chandrakant Shetye noted that there has been minimal fund utilization under the Atal Asra Yojana, while Sanvordem MLA Ganesh Gaonkar advocated for MLAs to play a role in identifying the homeless.
