Govt to build affordable homes in Pernem: CM

Chief Minister Pramod Sawant speaks in the Assembly.

Photo Credits: Narayan Pissurlenkar

MAPUSA
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Monday told the Goa Legislative Assembly that the government is planning to construct affordable homes exclusively for Goans through the Goa Housing Board (GHB), with the project proposed to come up in Pernem.

Addressing the House, Sawant emphasised that the homes will be allotted only to Goans with a mandatory 30-year domicile requirement to ensure the benefits reach "original Goans."

He also highlighted that 240 houses have already been completed under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) and that the State has requested a fresh resurvey to widen eligibility, as the 2011 socio-economic survey had excluded many Goans.

“We will ensure Goans get housing facilities and accordingly, plans are afoot to build houses through GHB in Pernem,” the chief minister said.

Minister for Housing and Housing Board, Sudin Dhavalikar said the GHB was in the process of formulating a policy for an affordable housing scheme and of acquiring land at various locations in the State.

“The GHB has not constructed any scheme under PMAY. However, the Board has taken up housing under EWS and LIG categories at various locations,” Dhavalikar said, in a written reply.

Raising the issue of affordable housing, Navelim MLA Ulhas Tuenkar criticised the current auction-based system of allocating GHB flats and plots, arguing that it favours those with financial resources and excludes needy Goans.

“Only people who have money participate in the auction process, thereby depriving poor Goans of housing,” Tuenkar said, demanding that the eligibility criteria be revised. He suggested replacing the existing 15-year domicile rule with a birth-in-Goa requirement.

Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao took a dig at the government’s housing promises, pointing out that while the CM had announced a comprehensive housing policy in his budget speech, no such policy has materialised.

“The Prime Minister claims over 4 crore houses have been provided under PMAY, but in Goa, there are hardly any. Does the government even have a mechanism to provide affordable housing?” Alemao questioned.

Mayem MLA Premendra Shet also expressed concern that Goans are being sidelined in the housing allocation process and called for changes in the eligibility norms to prioritise locals.

Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas also accused the government of inconsistencies between the answers made available in the Assembly and the data published in the state’s Economic Survey report, alleging a lack of accountability and transparency in the handling of housing data.