#GoodNews: Punjab’s Homeless Freedom Fighters to Get Houses

Under the scheme, free accommodation will be provided to freedom fighters whose income is less than Rs 3 lakh.

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh

(Photo Courtesy: Captain Amarinder Singh/Facebook)

Punjab’s Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Thursday, 31 May, gave his nod to a proposal which aims to provide houses to the state’s homeless freedom fighters and their families, reported PTI.

The initiative is aimed at providing free accommodation to all those freedom fighters with an annual income less than Rs 3 lakh.

In the first phase of this scheme – named ‘Punjab Pendu Awaas Yojana’ – eligible freedom fighters as well as applicants under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna (Gramin) with a family income of up to Rs 1.2 lakh will be covered, reported PTI.

The second phase of this scheme will be undertaken after a year. Those earning between Rs 1.20 lakh to Rs 3 lakh will be eligible for accommodation in this phase.

Beneficiaries of the scheme will also receive Rs 1.20 lakh from the state government, as well as 90 days of work under MGNREGA. Officials have also said that a toilet will be constructed in the house at a cost of Rs 12,000 under the MGNREGA/Swachh Bharat Mission.

Industrialists will be encouraged to contribute to the funding of this scheme under the corporate social responsibility.

(With inputs from PTI)