Second phase of Indian housing project begins

The Union Cabinet of the Government of India recently accorded approval for the reconstruction and repair of 49,000 houses of internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Northern and Eastern Provinces and for Indian Origin Tamils (IOTs) in Sri Lanka under grant assistance from government of India.

The Project will be under full grant assistance of the government of India with total outlay of INR 13.19 billion (approx US $ 260 million or SLR 29.4 billion) the project will primarily be implemented under the owner-driven model wherein the beneficiaries will undertake the reconstruction of their houses with necessary technical assistance and support provided to them. Funds will be released directly by the High Commission of India into their bank accounts based on certification of progress of work.

It may be mentioned that preferences of beneficiaries on the ground as well as the project objectives of contributing to livelihood activities require following an owner-driven approach where the beneficiary is closely involved with and participates in the process of construction.

While bulk of the housing units will be implemented under this model, houses for people from vulnerable sections, who are unable to build their own houses, like households headed by single womon disabled, elderly people etc, will be built by construction agencies.