Housing scheme transforms lives in state

Under the state government’s Swarn Jayanti Ashray Yojana Scheme, the lives of many in Himachal Pradesh, particularly in Mandi district, are seeing a significant transformation as the dream of owning a home comes true for the underprivileged and needy.

Beneficiaries like Mann Singh, from Nalsan village in Saigaloo panchayat of the Sadar Assembly constituency, were once living in a single, dilapidated room with their family. They faced constant hardships, especially during the rainy season when water would flood the room. With limited resources, Mann Singh had prioritised his daughter’s marriage over constructing a house. However, after learning about the Swarn Jayanti Ashray Yojana from the local panchayat, he applied and received financial assistance of Rs 1.5 lakh from the government, allowing him to build a two-room pucca house.

Similarly, Hari Singh from Beir-Tungal, living with his four daughters and one son in a fragile home, received Rs 1.5 lakh under the scheme and was able to construct a four-room house with his own earnings. He expressed his gratitude to Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu for the government’s support.

Labh Singh from Sukkah Koon in Baggi panchayat also shared his experience of moving from a thatched roof to a sturdy three-room house, thanks to the financial aid provided by the scheme. He, too, thanked the Chief Minister for making his dream a reality.

Deputy Commissioner Apoorv Devgan said in the past two years, Rs 5.34 crore in financial assistance has been granted to 356 families in Mandi district under the Swarn Jayanti Ashray Yojana. In 2023-24, approximately Rs 2.8 crore was allocated for 187 Scheduled Caste families, Rs 4.5 lakh for three Scheduled Tribe families and Rs 9 lakh for six families from the Other Backward Classes. For 2024-25, Rs 2.27 crore has been allocated for 151 Scheduled Caste families, Rs 4.5 lakh for three Scheduled Tribe families, and Rs 9 lakh for six Other Backward Class families.

To avail of the scheme, the applicant must be a permanent resident of Himachal Pradesh, with an annual income not exceeding Rs. 50,000. They should also have land for house construction in the revenue records and must not already own a house. Applicants must submit a completed application form along with the following documents: Annual income certificate; caste certificate; Himachali certificate; Jamabandi copy and Tatima for the land on which the house will be built.