PUNE: A new eligibility policy has been proposed to limit the benefits of the government housing schemes to only one member of the family. This has been proposed by the state housing department.
Once the proposal gets approved, the eligibility norms for government housing schemes will be tightened. The new scheme states that individuals cannot avail benefits of government housing schemes if they, or their immediate family members (wife, dependent child and all near and close family members), have been allotted a flat in any part of the state.
After the high court orders the state housing department has drafted the policy and it has now been sent to the cabinet for approval.
The policy will be applicable to government housing schemes across the state. It will ascertain that ineligible beneficiaries do not bypass the rule by getting a second allotment in the name of a family member.
The existing policy only puts restrictions on a second home
(in a government scheme) in the same municipal area of a district. One of the
officials from the housing department said that the rich have exploited the
existing policy vigorously. Under the new scheme it is expected that the genuine
beneficiaries will come under the purview.
The official has also confirmed that multiple claims have
left out the needy. After an evaluation it has been revealed that there are
flats availed by members of the same family in various municipal corporations.
A proper database and monitoring will ensure a thorough screening process.
The department is also contemplating to extend the policy to free housing rehabilitation schemes and have sought the intervention of the law department on the same.
They have sought clarification on applying the same where the eligibility exercise has already been conducted, but the possession is yet to be approved.
Consumers who have applied for such schemes said the move was justified.
Source: ET Realty