Mumbai: Ahead of the Lok Sabha election, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis is directly talking to the beneficiaries of Central and state government’s schemes. Mr Fadnavis had a dialogue with the beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) in the state in a Lok Samvad (public dialogue) on Wednesday. A senior official said the chief minister would communicate with beneficiaries in this matter twice a month. Earlier, Mr Fadnavis communicated directly with the people through the Me Mukhyamantri Boltoy programme, which was lasted until November 2017. He said that up to five brass sand would be provided without a
royalty.
An official from the chief minister’s office (CMO) said that the aim of the Lok Samvad is to ascertain the benefits of schemes for the needy that are accruing and the problems faced while availing of benefits. “At present, 12 lakh houses are under construction under the PMAY in the state,” he added.
According to the official, 598 people participated in Wednesday’s Lok Samvad and, though it was difficult to speak to all of them, the chief minister had patiently heard them and replied to their queries.
Among the issues discussed were the PMAY, Ramai housing scheme, Shabri residences, the Deendayal Upadhyaya land purchase scheme, whether or not the subsidy was received in time and whether toilets were constructed or not.
He also said that next Lok Samvad is expected to centre on farmer-related schemes.
Officials said that the beneficiaries told the chief minister that the Maharashtra government schemes effectively reached the common people in a transparent manner as the subsidy was credited directly to their bank accounts. They also claimed that their dream of beautiful and pucca houses was being fulfilled with the government’s schemes.
In a reply to a query by one Asha Jamjod from Amravati, the chief minister said discussions are in progress with the Central government to waive the fee recovered for the design drawings of houses to be constructed.
Wardha Kottewar from Wardha and Javed Shaikh from Fulewada in Gadchiroli district stated that they were facing problems in procuring sand for constructing their houses under the PMAY.
In reply, Mr Fadnavis said that five brass sand is free of cost for the purpose of constructing houses under the PMAY and all district collectors and tehsildars would be instructed regarding the same.
