Tripura to construct houses for 38,000 homeless families

Agartala, May 9: The Tripura government has decided to build houses for about 38,000 homeless families under Indira Awas Yujana (IAY), and Sampurna Gramin Rojgar Yujana under Rural Employment Guarantee Act (REGA) schemes.

State's Rural Development minister Jitendra Choudhury said while the Cetnre will fund 75 per cent, the rest will be provided by the state government.

Some 38,000 families rendered homeless due to fencing areas bordering Bangladesh and permanent construction of public establishments in different areas, he added. Of them, few families lost homes due to internal migration in interior areas, Mr Choudhury disclosed.

He, however, stated that about 7444 houses were constructed under IAY scheme during last financial year with the fund of 90:10 ratio of Centre and state.

Meanwhile, Ministry of Rural Development has released Grants-in-aid of Rs. 1.45 crore as first installment out of the allocation of Rs 8.70 crore to North District of Tripura, as Central assistance for the implementation of the SGRY during current financial year. Grants-in-aids of Rs.1.77 crore as second instalment were released to the West Tripura District after deducting Rs 2.94 crore on account of excess carry over and Rs 1.57 crore on account of late receipt of proposal from the DRDA under the scheme for the year 2006-07.

On the other, the ministry has also released Rs 9.55 crore as additional instalments to three districts of the state - North (Rs 2.17 crore), South (Rs 3.44 crore) and West (Rs 3.93 crore) for 2006-07, Mr Choudhury added.

UNI