Uttrakhand Simplifies Rules to Boost Affordable Housing

                Dehradun: The state cabinet on Wednesday gave nod to the Uttarakhand Housing Policy under which it has eased norms for the economically weaker sections (EWS) for the Pradhan 
Mantri Awas Yojna. While the Centre permits those earning less than Rs 3 lakh for EWS homes, the state govt has raised the limit to Rs 5 lakh or less. The carpet area of EWS homes 
would be 30sqm and the amount charged from the beneficiaries would be Rs 9 lakh for one unit. Similarly, the criteria for lower income group (LIG) and lower middle income groups 
(LMIG) has also been defined. People earning Rs 5 lakh to Rs 9 lakh have been included in the LIG group and those earning Rs 9 lakh to Rs 12 lakh are in the LMIG category. The 
rate for LIG houses, with carpet area from 30 square metres (sqm) to 45 sqm, would be Rs 14 lakh and for LMIG homes of 45 sqm to 60 sqm would be of Rs 25 lakh per unit. The 
consumer state subsidy has been raised from Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs 2 lakh.
Besides, the state will promote row housing in the hill areas of the state. It will also provide roads for last mile connectivity and the private developers of row housing will be given 
subsidies.
Earlier, govt had announced 50% subsidy for consumers using less than 100 units electricity in the plains and 200 units in the hills. The cabinet has authorised district magistrates to 
form teams to check if consumers are violating norms to avail the subsidy both in plains and hills. "An amount which is double the subsidy availed will be recovered from those 
violating norms," energy secretary R Meenakshi Sundaram said.
Further, Uttarakhand Transport Corporation has been authorised to purchase 100 new BS6 buses for which the principal amount will be given by the department and the interest by 
state govt. The project will cost Rs 34 crore.
Also, the formation of the Transgender Welfare Board (TWB) has been approved to protect rights of trangender persons. Presently, 19 states and UTs have TWBs. A proposal to have 
concept of one-time user charges in medical colleges was also approved.
The cabinet also gave nod for a secondary education department proposal which allows students, who have undergone a sex-change operation, to get the name and sex changed in 
their academic record. "In accordance with the central law, a provision has been made and the change has been approved by the cabinet," IAS officer Shailesh Bagauli said.

The cabinet also gave a nod to a higher education department proposal for educational tours for students and teachers. Additionally, dress allowance of govt drivers in different 
departments has been raised from Rs 2,400 to Rs 3,000 per year.

Source : Times of India