Photo: Prakhar Pandey
One cannot really find fault with the mission of the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation. The rule books seem honest documents, aimed at providing benefits to the weaker sections of society. The EWS (Economically Weaker Section) scheme for the homeless is particularly significant, because it offers affordable housing to those living below the poverty line. The question then is, why are a large number of homes built for this purpose continuing to lie vacant, years after they have been constructed? The allotment process is clear. The people who are eligible to apply for these houses built by the government arm, need to fulfill an eligibility criteria of being below the government-stated poverty line. Thus, people with incomes less than or up to a lakh of rupees annually are eligible to apply. These persons are identified by the ‘Yellow Card’ given to them by the government. The criterion that entitles the Yellow Card holders to apply for homes under the EWS scheme was drawn up by the erstwhile UPA II government. The current government has not done anything to change it. But, a hundred days into its regime, the new government has not yet been able to alter the situation.
Krishna, a sweeper who lives and works in Gurgaon, laments his several failed attempts to secure an EWS apartment. “I have applied quite a few times now, but without any luck,” he says. Significantly, some of those who are occupying such EWS flats are neither poor nor homeless - nor are Yellow Card holders. And, unlike Krishna, there are a large number of under-privileged people who are not even aware of such schemes, which are supposed to benefit (only) them. These people are largely ignorant and illiterate, and are clearly susceptible to manipulation. Lalu, an auto rickshaw driver, is among those who are completely ignorant of such a scheme. What is worse, he is not even registered under the EWS scheme, which provides for several benefits to people below the poverty line. “I have a large family, with 12 members. We all live in a ‘chawl’, which hardly suffices for our family,” he says. Some have ‘benefited’. Lila Devi (name changed), who resides near ‘old’ Gurgaon with her husband and in laws, in her own home, had filled the form for EWS flats last year. She says, “I am quite fortunate to have ‘won’ this flat, but nothing comes free of cost”. The ‘winners’ need to also pay about Rs 4.5 lakhs per annum as 'rent', and this is not affordable for most EWS families. There are a few Yellow Card owners who, though owning a house already, ‘manage’ one through EWS, and then put it on rent. Most others who are aware about their eligibility, are often conned into relinquishing the same by opportunistic realty agents, who manage to hoodwink them by offering a small sum of money. The ploy is generally to convince these persons that some upfront money is more useful than their applying for EWS flats, which more often than not carry a premium they can ill afford. Thus, these flats get usurped and palmed off to those who can afford high premiums - which are unofficial of course. The modus operandi seems thus: the lottery process is manipulated in connivance with department officials and the flats are handed over to those who pay the premium. On paper though, it’s a Yellow Card holder who owns the property. Also, the rules permit the sale of such property by the owners. This paper transaction is managed by the real estate agents in due course. Hai ye Gurgaon meri jaan.
It is unlikely that the government is unaware of the goings-on. But there is nothing happening to suggest that it is taking any serious action to curb this malpractice. Upon enquiry, most officers feign ignorance. And if they know, they are not talking. Says Shekhar Vidyarthi, District Commissioner, Gurgaon, “We are not the authorized persons to comment on EWS flats.” According to him the Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) Administration from Chandigarh looks after the entire process! Given the fact that the housing needs of the urban poor continue to be pressing, the government’s apparent anxiety to bridge the demand-supply gap to the extent possible through such schemes does not seem to be working on the ground. EWS Housing is not only the responsibility of the government; our society should also play an important role in helping the under-privileged fight for their rights. Ironically, hundreds of EWS flats lie vacant across Gurgaon - though allegedly allotted on paper. Deliberate or otherwise, the real benefits are not reaching the beneficiary. Given this situation, it would be asking for too much from the govt. to ensure that its schemes are well communicated to all the beneficiaries – so that no poor person or family loses out due to ignorance. These nameless, faceless people may not exist even on paper.
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