Transparency, eligibility key for Centre’s approval of 5 Lakh homes; Raman Suri seeks vigilance in J&K housing scheme rollout

JAMMU: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) executive member Raman Suri while extending his heartfelt appreciation to the central government for approving the construction of houses for five lakh homeless families in Jammu and Kashmir under the transformative Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) said that this landmark decision, announced by Union Minister for Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chauhan, marks a significant step toward ensuring that every citizen of the Union Territory (UT) has access to a fundamental right—a secure roof over their heads.

BJP Executive Member Raman Suri, while lauding the Centre’s commitment to uplifting the underprivileged, emphasized the need for meticulous oversight in the implementation of this ambitious scheme. “The approval of houses for five lakh families is a monumental move toward social justice and inclusive development. However, it is imperative that the state government and the Rural Development Department exercise utmost caution to ensure that only genuinely eligible families benefit from this initiative,” Suri stated.

Drawing attention to past challenges, Raman Suri cautioned against the recurrence of systemic issues that have previously deprived deserving beneficiaries. “Time and again, we have witnessed influential groups diverting benefits meant for the poor to their own associates. This cannot be allowed to continue. The state government must ensure that the selection process is transparent, fair, and free from any manipulation,” he urged.

To safeguard the scheme’s integrity, Suri called for stringent measures to verify the eligibility of beneficiaries. He specifically highlighted concerns about the misuse of Aadhaar seeding, which could lead to multiple members of the same family being listed as separate beneficiaries. “It is unacceptable for two or three individuals from the same household to be included as beneficiaries. The verification process must be robust to prevent such discrepancies. While population growth may naturally add new beneficiaries over time, old or ineligible names must not be recycled into the list,” Suri asserted.

The state government bears the critical responsibility of expediting the necessary formalities, Raman Suri said, adding that the administration must act swiftly to translate this proposal into tangible results. “A roof is not just a structure; it is a fundamental right that provides dignity and security to every citizen. The state government must work in mission mode to ensure that eligible families receive the benefits of PMAY without delay,” he said.

Reflecting on past experiences, Suri underscored the need to learn from historical lapses in welfare scheme implementation. “There have been instances where proximity to the ruling or influential classes has led to the exclusion of the genuinely needy. This scheme must not fall prey to such practices. The Rural Development Department, in collaboration with local authorities, must establish a foolproof mechanism to verify beneficiaries and prevent fraud,” he emphasized.

Suri also called for public awareness campaigns to educate citizens about the scheme’s eligibility criteria and application process. “Transparency begins with empowering people with information. The state government should ensure that every eligible family is aware of their rights under PMAY and can access the benefits without bureaucratic hurdles,” he added.

“The Central Government has laid a strong foundation by approving this proposal. It is now up to the state administration to build on this vision and deliver homes to those who need them most. Let us work together to make PMAY a model of success in Jammu and Kashmir,” Suri said.