Centre launches new schemes for poverty alleviation in NE

Agartala, Aug 8 (UNI) The Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation ministry has announced a fresh initiative to provide shelter and basic infrastructure for the deprived in Northeastern states, Official sources here today said besides implementing existing schemes, the ministry has launched a separate project on housing, slum development and employment generation.

About 63 projects have been sanctioned with Centre's contribution of Rs 499.78 crore while Rs 305.23 crore were released to various executing agencies.

The ministry had also evaluated collection and dissemination of data on housing, building materials and for adopting general measures for reduction of building costs, sources said.

Besides, implementation and monitoring of the specific programmes were undertaken to provide training to the unemployed urban poor, officials said.

The Swarna Jayanti Shahari Rojgar Yojana (SJSRY) had also been implemented to encourage self-employment ventures for those who have not studied beyond ninth standard.

The officials said to cope with problems of rapid urban growth, Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission had given special attention to integrated development of urban infrastructure and services in 63 cities, including five in NE.

The Ministry has also initiated steps to provide a supportive environment to street vendors by formulating a national policy on urban street vendors on recommendation of the Task Force constituted for the purpose.

UNI