Pricey housing scheme Why surrender?
While the government had introduced the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) with much fanfare, it seems the scheme is now unaffordable for the poor and lowincome group.
Builders are re-labelling their projects as affordable housing under PMAY with the earlier price tag, although these projects are also available outside the umbrella of the scheme. In some cases, they are charging high rates even for 30-squaremetre and 60-square-metre units. The scheme has ended up providing only interest subsidy to buyers. Builders are asking for five per cent to 10 per cent down payment and no EMI until possession. These are the same terms and conditions under which flats are available outside PMAY.
This means builders will make hefty profits under PMAY. There is no price cap or checkmate, builders are not passing the zero-tax exemption on profits earned under the scheme to buyers. Likewise, associated benefits under infrastructure status for PMAY are also not being passed to customers.
The government should immediately plug loopholes in the scheme by imposing a price cap and also define the facilities that are supposed to be available in affordable housing units. It should set the conditions for construction, materials to be used and amenities to be provided in each unit and ensure compliance with the strictest building standards.
The government should ask builders to consider the possibility of converting unsold inventory into affordable 30square-metre or 60-square-metre units and make them ready-to-move-in flats. Effort should be made to reduce cost and introduce deadlines for completion of these units.
If prices are high, how can the scheme be successful only with a small subsidy by way of an interest cut against a loan granted?
A Sathyanarayana New Delhi With reference to Ajai Shukla’s article, “The world is watching Kashmir” (May 2), I am inclined to agree with his observations that disturbing footage of girls and women in school and college uniforms defying armed security men detracts from the legitimacy of India’s response and its time-tested stance at the international level.
Of late, the situation in Kashmir Valley has been turning worse, with Pakistan-based terror organisations supported by separatist groups fomenting trouble by using the emotive “azadi” card much to the discomfiture of peaceloving citizens in the state and the nation as a whole.
As is well known, the ongoing violent protests have their roots in the gunning down of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani by security forces in July last year. Since then, there seems to be no light at the end of the tunnel.
Armed security personnel have been asked by the government not to retaliate even if pelted by stones from the youth. This is apparent from the video clippings being shown by news channels and which are circulating on social media. Why should our security men meekly surrender before these misguided youth? Why does the government not have a road map to deal with these troublemakers?
The moot question: What happened to the tall claims of the Narendra Modi government that there would be no more stone pelting and no more fake Indian currency from the Pakistani side after last year’s demonetisation?
The government has failed to keep its word. It must rise to the occasion to contain increasing incidents of stone pelting by the youth. This apart, it should make serious effort to dissuade schoolgirls and women in college from supporting the separatists.
Decisive action is needed; mere condemnation of violent acts won’t do. Our international image is also at stake.
S Kumar New Delhi