RURAL HOUSING PROGRAMME

Introduction

Housing is one of the basic requirements for human survival. For a normal
citizen owning a house provides significant economic and social security and status in
society. For a shelterless person, a house brings about a profound social change in
his existence, endowing him with an identity, thus integrating him with his
immediate social milieu. A housing programme for the rehabilitation of refugees was
taken up immediately after partition by the Ministry of Refugee Rehabilitation and
this lasted till around 1960. Approximately 5 lakh families were housed in various
centres mainly located in Northern lndia. A Village Housing Scheme was also
launched as part of the Community Development Movement in 1957, in which loans
to individuals and cooperatives were provided up to a maximum of Rs. 5000/- per
house. However only 67000 houses were built under this scheme by the end of the
Fifth Plan (1980). In 1972-73, the Estimate Committee of the Lok Sabha in its 37 th P P

Report pointed out that ‘‘the Committee is distressed to note that although 83% of
India's population lives in villages and about 73% of the rural population reside in
unsatisfactory kutcha structures, the problem of rural housing has not received the
close attention of the Government’’. Following this, certain initiatives were
undertaken by Government including the launching of the House Sites cum
Construction Assistance Scheme which began as a Central Scheme in the 4 th Plan P P

and was transferred to the State Sector with effect from 1.04.1974 on the
recommendation of the National Development Council (NDC).

The genesis of the Indira Awaas Yojana (IAY) can be traced to the
programmes of rural employment, which began in the early 1980s. Construction of
houses was one of the major activities under the National Rural Employment
Programme (NREP), which began in 1980, and the Rural Landless Employment
Guarantee Programme (RLEGP), which began in 1983. There was, however, no
uniform policy for rural housing in the states. For instance some states permitted
only part of the construction cost to be borne from NREP/ RLEGP funds and the
balance was to be met by beneficiaries from their savings or loans obtained by them.
On the other hand, others permitted the entire expenditure to be borne from NREP/
RLEGP funds. Further, while some states allowed construction of only new dwellings,
others permitted renovation of existing houses of beneficiaries. As per
announcement made by the Government of India in June 1985, a part of the RLEGP
fund was earmarked for the construction of houses for SCs/STs and freed bonded
labourers. As a result, Indira Awaas Yojana (lAY) was launched during 1985-86 as a
sub-scheme of RLEGP. IAY thereafter continued as a sub-scheme of Jawahar Rozgar
Yojana (JRY) since its launching in April, 1989. 6% of the total JRY funds were
allocated for implementation of lAY. From the year 1993-94, the scope of lAY was
extended to cover below the poverty line Non Scheduled Castes/ Scheduled Tribes
families in the rural areas. Simultaneously, the allocation of funds for implementing
the scheme was raised from 6% to 10% of the total resources available under JRY at
the national level, subject to the condition that the benefits to Non-Scheduled
Castes/ Scheduled Tribes poor should not exceed 4% of the total JRY allocation. IAY
was de-linked from JRY and made an independent scheme with effect from 1st
January 1996.
Since 1999-2000, number of initiatives have been taken to improve the Rural
Housing (RH) Programme by making provision for upgradation of unserviceable
kutcha houses and by providing credit with subsidy for certain sections of the poor.
Emphasis has also been laid on use of cost affective, disaster resistant and
environment friendly technologies in rural housing.
 CHAPTER – I
BROAD OUTLINES AND OBJECTIVES

1.1. Indira Awaas Yojana (IAY)

The Indira Awaas Yojana (IAY) is a flagship scheme of the Ministry of
Rural Development to provide houses to the poor in the rural areas.

1.2 Objective
The objective of the Indira Awaas Yojana is primarily to help
construction/upgradation of dwelling units of members of Scheduled
Castes/Scheduled Tribes, freed bonded labourers and other below the poverty line
non-SC/ST rural house holds by providing them a lump sum financial assistance.

1.3 Funding Pattern

The Indira Awaas Yojana is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme funded on cost-
sharing basis between the Government of India and the State Governments in the
ratio of 75:25. In the case of Union Territories, the entire funds under this Scheme
are provided by the Government of India.

1.4 Target Group

The target groups for houses under the IAY are below poverty line households
living in the rural areas belonging to Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes, freed
bonded labourers and non-SC/ST BPL rural households, widows and next of-kin to
defence personnel/paramilitary forces killed in action residing in rural areas
(irrespective of their income criteria), ex-servicemen and retired member of
paramilitary forces fulfilling the other conditions.
1.5 Earmarking of Funds for SC/ST Beneficiaries

Funds available under the Scheme in a district are earmarked for various categories

as under:
(i) Atleast 60% of the total lAY allocation during a financial year should be
utilized for construction/upgradation of dwelling units for SC/ST BPL
households.

(ii) A maximum 40% for non-SC/ST BPL rural households.

(iii) 3% of the above categories for physically and mentally challenged
persons.
 If any particular category is exhausted or not available in a district, allocation
can be utilized for other categories as per priorities given in the Guidelines after it
has been certified to this effect by the Zilla Parishad/DRDA concerned.

1.6 Strategy for the implementation of the Programme

The Programme will be implemented through the Zilla Parishads/DRDAs and

houses will be constructed by the beneficiaries themselves.
CHAPTER – II

IDENTIFICATION AND SELECTION OF BENEFICIARIES

2.1. Identification of beneficiaries

The District Panchayat/Zilla Panchayat/District Rural Development Agencies

(DRDAs) on the basis of allocations made and targets fixed shall decide the number
of houses to be constructed/upgraded Panchayat wise under IAY, during a particular
financial year. The same shall be intimated to the Gram Panchayat concerned.
Thereafter, the Gram Sabha will select the beneficiaries from the list of eligible BPL
households, restricting this number to the target allotted as per the Programme
Guidelines. Selection by the Gram Sabha is final. No approval by a higher body is
required. Zilla Parishads/DRDAs and Block Development Offices should however, be
sent a list of selected beneficiaries for their information.

2.2. Priority in Selection of Beneficiaries

Prioritization of beneficiaries will be as follows:

(i) Freed bonded labourers
(ii) SC/ST households
¨ SC/ST households who are victims of atrocity
¨ SC/ST households, headed by widows and unmarried
women
¨ SC/ST households affected by flood, natural calamities
like earthquake, cyclone and man-made calamities like riot.
¨ Other SC/ST households
(iii) Families/widows of personnel from defence services/paramilitary
forces, killed in action.
 (iv) Non- SC/ST BPL households.
(v) Physically and mentally challenged persons.
(vi) Ex-servicemen and retired members of the paramilitary forces.
(vii) Displaced persons on account of developmental projects,
nomadic/semi-nomadic, and de-notified tribals, families with
physically/mentally challenged members.
The selection of the beneficiaries will be subject to the condition that the
households of all the above categories except (iii) are Below Poverty Line (BPL)

2.3. Involvement of beneficiaries

The beneficiaries should be involved in the construction of the house. To this

end, the beneficiaries may make their own arrangements for procurement of
construction material, engage skilled workmen and also contribute family labour. The
beneficiaries will have complete freedom as to the manner of construction of the
house. Zilla Parishads/DRDAs can help the beneficiaries in acquiring raw material on
control rates, if they so desire or request the Zilla Parishads/DRDAs in this regard.
This will result in economy in cost, ensure quality of construction, lead to greater
satisfaction and acceptance of the house by the beneficiary. The responsibility for the
proper construction of the house will thus be on the beneficiaries themselves. A
Committee may be formed, if so desired, to coordinate the work. The Committee
shall be sensitized to incorporate hazard-resistant features in the design of the
houses.
2.4. Allotment of Houses

Allotment of dwelling units should be in the name of female member of the

beneficiary household. Alternatively, it can be allotted in the name of both husband
and wife.
CHAPTER – III

UNIT COST OF THE INDIRA AWAAS YOJANA HOUSES

3.1. Unit Cost for Construction of IAY Houses and Upgradation

The ceiling on grant of assistance per unit cost under the Indira Awaas Yojana
for construction of new house and upgradation of unserviceable kutcha house is
given as under: -
 Plain Areas Hilly/ Difficult Areas
(a) Construction of house including Rs. 25,000/- Rs. 27,500/-
Sanitary latrine and
smokeless Chulha
(b) Upgradation of un-serviceable Rs. 12,500/- Rs. 12,500/-
households

3.2 Construction of Sanitary latrines and smokeless chulhas

Sanitary latrine and smokeless chulha will be provided with each IAY house.
Latrine could be constructed separate from the IAY house on the site of the
beneficiary. Wherever possible, efforts should be made to dovetail funds from Total
Sanitation Campaign (TSC) for providing sanitary latrine so that more money could
be made available for construction of the IAY house. In case, the beneficiary is
unable to construct sanitary latrine, due to some reasons, an amount of Rs. 600/-
would be deducted from the assistance to be provided for construction of the new
IAY house or for up gradation of an unserviceable kutcha house. Similarly, where
smokeless chulha is not possible, deduction will be Rs. 100/-.

3.3 Loan for IAY Beneficiaries

In addition to the assistance provided under the IAY, loan for construction of IAY
houses or for up gradation of unserviceable kutcha houses can be obtained from the
banks/other financial institutions. It will be the responsibility of the State
Governments/DRDAs concerned to coordinate with the financial institutions to make
available the credit facility to those beneficiaries who are interested.

3.4 Credit-cum-Subsidy for construction / up gradation of rural houses

Upto 20% of the total funds can be utilized for up gradation of existing kutcha
houses and toward subsidy for construction of houses with credit from
Banks/Financial Institutions. Credit-cum-subsidy will be provided subject to the
following conditions:

(i) Rural households having an annual income of upto Rs. 32,000/-

only.
(ii) Ceiling of subsidy under the Scheme Rs. 12,500 per household.
(iii) The upper limit of construction loan under this scheme will be Rs.
50,000 only. Credit arrangement will be as mentioned in para 3.3.

3.5 Location of the lndira Awaas Yojana

 The Indira Awaas Yojana dwelling units should normally be built on individual
plots in the main habitation of the village. The houses can also be built in a cluster
within a habitation, so as to facilitate the development of infrastructure, such as,
internal roads, drainage, drinking water supply etc. and other common facilities.
Care should always be taken to see that the houses under the IAY are located close
to the village and not far away, so as to ensure safety and security, nearness to work
place and social communication. To the extent possible, the site should not be
located in disaster prone areas for example frequently floodable areas.
CHAPTER – IV

CRITERIA FOR ALLOCATION AND RELEASE OF FUNDS

4.1 Criteria for Allocation of Resources

Central assistance under the Indira Awaas Yojana will be allocated to the
States/UTs on the basis of poverty ratio and housing shortage, with each of these
variables being given equal weightage. The poverty ratios prepared by the Planning
Commission are used for this purpose, while housing shortage is determined on the
basis of the last Census. The proportions of rural SC/ST population and housing
shortage in a district to the total rural SC/ST population and housing shortage in the
State/UT are the criteria of inter-district allocation of the Indira Awaas Yojana funds
within a State/UT. Both these variables are given equal weightage in the inter-
districts allocation. The targets for the Blocks within a District will be decided on the
same principles. Diversion of resources from one district to another is strictly
prohibited. Upto 20% of the total funds can be utilized for upgradation of existing
kutcha houses and towards subsidy for construction of houses with credit in
accordance with Para 3.1 and 3.4.

4.2 Release of Central Assistance to Zilla Parishads/DRDAs.

The Indira Awaas Yojana funds are operated by the Zilla Parishads/DRDAs at
the district level. Central assistance will be released every year to the Zilla
Parishads/DRDAs, in two instalments, subject to the fulfillment of the following
conditions: -

(a) The first instalment amounting to 50% of the total allocation for a
particular district is released in the beginning of the financial year. This
 is subject to condition that the second instalment during previous year
was claimed and released without any condition. However, if any
specific conditions had been imposed at the time of release of the last
instalment of the previous year, its compliance will have to be ensured
before release of the first instalment.

(b) The second instalment for the districts will be released on receipt of
request from the DRDAs as per Proforma at Annexure - I on
fulfillment of the following conditions: -

(i) 60% of the total available funds, that is opening balance of the
year (in case of proposal for the first instalment, opening
balance of the previous year) plus the amount received including
the State share (if the State share has not been released against
the first instalment, notional State share will be taken into
account for the purpose of calculation of total availability) and
other receipts should have been utilized at the time of
submitting the proposal for the second instalment.

(ii) The opening balance of the District should not exceed

15% of the funds available during the previous year. In case,
the opening balance exceeds this limit, the Central share of the
excess will be deducted proportionately at the time of release of
the second instalment.

(iii) The State Government has made sufficient provision in

their Budget to match the Central financial assistance.

(iv) The State Government should have released all its

contribution (including that of the previous years) due, up to
the date of the application. In the event of shortfall in State
share, corresponding amount of Central share (i.e. three times
the shortfall of State share) will be deducted from the amount
of Central share of the second instalment of the current year.

(v) Submission of Audit Reports for the IAY for the last year
and submission of Action Taken Report on the comments made
 in the audit report of the previous year. The Audit Report
should consist of Bank Reconciliation Statement and a
Certificate from the Chartered Accountant that while auditing
the district account of the IAY, the accounts of all Implementing
Agencies such as block-wise expenditure etc have been taken
into account.

(vi) Submission of Utilization Certificates of cash component

from DRDAs based on reports received from the other
Implementing Agencies such as Block Development Office etc.
for the previous year should be submitted in the prescribed
Proforma as per Annexure - II.

(vii) Submission of non-diversion and non-embezzlement

certificate.

(viii) Annual Plan should have been approved by the Zilla Parishad
or the Governing Body of the DRDA as the case may be.

(ix) All pending progress/monitoring reports should have been

sent.

(x) Any other condition imposed from time to time will also
have to be complied with.

(xi) All documents must be checked/enclosed with the proposal

as per the Checklist. (Annexure – III)

(c) In case of districts/UTs having limited working season or any peculiar

problem such as Kinnaur, Lahaul and Spiti, Leh, Kargil, Andaman and
Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep and any other areas as decided, the
entire Central assistance may be released in one instalment. The State
shall also release its share in one instalment. In the case of these
districts, to which funds are released in one instalment, funds will be
released only on fulfillment of the conditions laid down.
4.3 Cuts to be imposed on late receipt of proposals

4.3.1 The proposal for release of second instalment by the Zilla Parishad/DRDA
complete in all respects should be submitted latest by 31 st December every year.
P P

4.3.2 To maintain financial discipline, a mandatory deduction (s) on account of

late submission of proposal by the State Government shall be imposed depending
upon the date of receipt of complete proposal for release of second instalment under
the IAY. Under the system, there will be progressive deductions for proposal(s)
received in the month of January and February @ 10% and 20% respectively on the
total Central allocation for the year. Incomplete proposals will not be accepted. The
date on which last information is received from the State shall be treated as date of
receipt of the proposal.

4.3.3 Notwithstanding the above provision (Para 4.3.2), State should submit the
proposal for the second instalment before 15 th February every year. Acceptance of
P P

th th
proposal(s) after 15 P P February upto 28
P P February will be considered only in
exceptional circumstances. Proposals will not be accepted after February. However,
if the proposal received in the month of March is accepted under special
circumstances, 30% cut in the allocation will be imposed.

4.3.4 Zilla Parishads/DRDAs are required to complete all the incomplete houses
sanctioned/taken up in the previous years first (with the funds available during the
current year) even if there is a deduction while releasing the 2nd instalment in the
previous year due to unavoidable circumstances. The targets fixed at the time of
allocation of funds to the districts/states during the current year would be adjusted
accordingly keeping in view the deduction/additional release, if any, during the
previous year.

4.4 Earmarking of Resources under the IAY

4.4.1 5% of the total allocated funds under IAY will be kept apart to meet the
exigencies arising out of natural calamities and other emergent situations like riot,
arson, fire, rehabilitation under exceptional circumstances etc.
 Proposals for this purpose have to come from State Governments/Admn. of
UTs showing the extent of damage and the estimated fund requirement in respect
of the proposed IAY houses provided assistance has not been obtained from other
sources. Funds to be released for this purpose shall not exceed Rs. 50 lakhs per
district. The relief will be as per the norms with regard to per unit ceiling of
assistance for IAY house prescribed under the scheme.

4.4.4 The unutilized amount, if any, of this provision of 5% of the funds of

the scheme, will be utilized for allocation to the better performing States/Districts.
The Ministry of Home Affairs or any other Ministry/Department handling the natural
calamity or other emergent situation will also be informed about the allocation of
these funds, in order to avoid any duplication in relief work. Physical and financial
progress reports of the funds so spent have to be furnished by the State
Governments concerned on the work done within the provision of the allocation
made for these contingencies.

4.5 Maintenance of Accounts

Zilla Parishads/DRDAs will follow the accounting procedures prescribed by the

Ministry of Rural Development. The finalized accounts of the previous year shall be
got approved by the General Body of the concerned DRDA on or before 30th June
and got audited on or before 31st August of the same year. Copies of the Audit
Report as accepted by the General Body of the concerned DRDA shall be sent to the
State Government and Central Government on or before 30th September of the
year. The above procedure will be in addition to any other procedures to be followed
and requirements to be fulfilled by the DRDA as per the Articles of Memorandum of
the Association.

4.6 Release of State share to DRDAs

The State Government shall release its share to the Zilla Parishads/DRDAs
within one month after the release of Central assistance and copy of the same should
be endorsed to Ministry of Rural Development.

4.7 Separate Bank Account for the Indira Awaas Yojana

 The lAY funds (Central share as well as State share) shall be kept in a
nationalized/scheduled or cooperative bank or a Post Office in an exclusive and
separate savings bank account by the DRDAs.

4.8 Utilization of Interest Earned on Deposits

The interest amount accrued on the deposits of the lAY funds shall be treated
as part of the lAY resources.

4.9 Drawal of funds by the DRDAs

Drawal of funds from the accounts shall only be made for incurring
expenditure under the lAY.

4.10 Payment to beneficiaries

Payment should be made to the beneficiary on a staggered basis depending

on the progress of the work. The entire money should not be paid to the beneficiary
in lump sum. Installments of payment to be linked to the progress of work can be
decided by the State Government or at the District level.
CHAPTER - V
MISCELLANEOUS

5.1 Ban on contractors or departmental construction

No contractor shall be involved in the construction of dwelling units under the

lAY, by the Zilla Parishad/DRDA/Implementing Agency. If any case of construction
through contractors comes to notice, Government of India will have the right to
recover the releases made to the State for those lAY houses. The house should also
not be constructed by any Government department. Government departments or
organizations can, however, give technical assistance or arrange for coordinated
supply of raw materials such as cement, steel or bricks if the beneficiaries so
desire. The spirit of the lAY is that the house is not to be constructed and delivered
by any external agency. On the other hand, the house is to be constructed by the
beneficiary himself/herself.

5.2 Appropriate Construction Technologies and Local Materials

 Effort should be made to utilize, to the maximum possible extent, local
materials and cost effective disaster resistant and environment friendly technologies
developed by various institutions. Zilla Parishad/DRDA should contact various
organizations/institutions for seeking expertise information on innovative
technologies, materials, designs and methods to help beneficiaries in the
construction/upgradation of durable, cost effective houses and disaster resistant
houses. Help of Building Centres may also be taken to get the information on cost
effective technologies/materials and conducting training for rural artisans. The State
Governments may also arrange to make available information on cost effective
environment friendly technologies, materials, designs etc., at district/block level.
This information should only be for guidance and any other suitable location specific
technology can be adopted by the beneficiaries.

5.3 Type Design

No type design should be prescribed for the lAY dwelling units, except that
the plinth area of the houses should not be less than 20 sq.mts. The layout, size and
type design of the lAY dwelling units should depend on the local conditions and the
preference of the beneficiary. The houses, should be designed in accordance with the
desire of the beneficiaries, keeping in view the climatic conditions and the need to
provide ample space, kitchen, ventilation, sanitary facilities, smokeless chullha, etc.
and the community perceptions, preferences and cultural attitudes. The barrier free
concept may be incorporated in the houses meant for the physically challenged, with
a view to facilitating their smooth and free movement in the house. In areas
frequented by natural calamities such as fire, flood, cyclones, earthquakes, etc.,
incorporation of disaster resistant features in design should be encouraged.

5.4 Fuel Efficient Chulhas

It should be ensured that each Indira Awaas Yojana dwelling unit is provided
with a smokeless chulha, which is a fuel-efficient alternative, smoke free, healthy for
clean environment and more convenient to use.

5.5 Drinking Water Supply

The availability of drinking water supply should be ensured by the agencies

responsible for the implementation of the Indira Awaas Yojana.
5.6 Environmental Improvements and Social Forestry

Plantation of trees in the entire habitation or around the individual house may
be taken up simultaneously. Trees may be planted near the housing clusters so that,
in due course, enough trees are available nearby, to enable the beneficiaries to
source fuel/fodder/small timber. Such plantations can be taken up under the social
forestry programme. Some of the popular indigenous species whose plantation can
be undertaken include Neem (Azadirachta indica); Mahuva (Madhuca indica); Amla
(Emblica officianlis); Coconut (Cocos nucifera); Deodar (Credrees deadora); Mango
(Magnifera indica); Oak (Quercus & Spp.); Rose wood (Dalbergia latifolia); Chandan
(Santalum album); Pipal (Ficus religiosa) etc. This list is merely illustrative, and not
exhaustive. Species may vary with region, location and geo/agro-climatic conditions.
Cultivation of fruits and vegetables at household level in the houses may also be
encouraged for improving nutritional status.

5.7 Training
Officers dealing with the IAY at the State, district and Block levels must be
trained in various disaster resistant features to be adopted in the houses and they
should ensure that this is complied with during their field visits. In addition, local
carpenters and masons should be trained for skill upgradation and use of low cost
technology and local material under the SGSY. The awareness among the
beneficiaries must be created about the disastrous resistant and environment
friendly technology through exhibitions of low cost technologies at the district and
block level, seminars, workshops etc. The services of State Institutes of Rural
Developments (SIRDs), Extension Training Centres may be taken up for this
purpose.

5.8 Involvement of Non-Governmental Organizations

Suitable local Non-Governmental agencies with proven good track record

wherever available may be associated for assistance in construction of dwelling units
under the Indira Awaas Yojana. The supervision, guidance and the monitoring of
construction can be entrusted to these non-governmental organizations. In
particular, non-governmental organizations should be made use of to popularize the
use of sanitary latrine and smokeless chulhas, as well as innovative technologies,
materials designs, etc for cost effective construction. If necessary, funds can be
utilized for this purpose from the earmarked funds for training or by dovetailing with
the total sanitation campaign.

5.9 Inventory of Houses

The implementing agencies should have a complete inventory of houses

constructed/upgraded under the lAY, giving details of the date of start and the date
of completion of construction of dwelling unit, name of the village and Block in which
the house is located; occupation and category of beneficiaries and other relevant
particulars.

5.10 Display of IAY Board and Logo

Completion of a dwelling unit in no case should take more than two years. On
completion of an IAY dwelling unit, the Zilla Parishad/DRDA concerned should ensure
that for each house so constructed, a display board is fixed indicating the
Government of India Rural Housing logo, year of construction, name of the
beneficiary etc. The expenditure on this account can be met from the funds available
under the scheme accruing due to interest. The cost of each logo should not exceed
Rs.30/-.
CHAPTER – VI

MONITORING & EVALUATION

6.1 Monitoring

Officers dealing with the IAY at the State headquarters should visit districts
regularly and ascertain through field visits whether the programme is being
implemented satisfactorily and whether construction of houses is in accordance with
the prescribed procedure. Likewise, officers at the district, sub-division and block
levels must closely monitor all aspects of the IAY through visits to work sites. A
schedule of inspection which prescribes a minimum number of field visits for each
supervisory level functionary from the State level to the block level should be drawn
up and strictly adhered to. The State Government should prescribe the periodical
reports/ returns through which it should monitor the performance of IAY in the
districts and also get appropriate reports and returns prescribed, to be collected by
the Zilla Parishads/DRDAs. The monitoring of the programme at the State Level will
be the responsibility of State Level Vigilance and Monitoring Committee for Rural
Development Programmes. A representative or nominee of the Ministry of Rural
Development, Government of India should invariably be invited to participate in the
meetings of the Committee. The following reports and returns should be submitted
to the Government of India by the State/UTs separately in respect of the Indira
Awaas Yojana (separately for new construction/upgradation): -

(i) a monthly progress report to be furnished by Telex/Fax/E-mail/ Nicnet

in Proforma–I(a) to 1(c), on or before 10th of every succeeding
month.

(ii) A detailed Annual Progress Report to be submitted by 25th April of the

succeeding financial year in Proforma-II(a) & II(b).

6.2. Evaluation Studies

The Central Government may conduct periodic evaluation studies on the

implementation of the Indira Awaas Yojana. These Evaluation studies may be got
conducted by reputed institutions and organizations on the implementation as well as
the issues thrown up by the Concurrent Evaluation, conducted by the Government of
India. The States/UTs may also conduct Evaluation Studies on their own regarding
the implementation and impact of the programme in their State. Copies of the
reports of these evaluation studies conducted by the States/UTs should be furnished
to the Government of India. Remedial action should be taken by the States/UTs on
the basis of the observations made in these evaluation studies and also in the
Concurrent Evaluation conducted by or on behalf of Government of India.

6.3. Transparency in Implementation of Indira Awaas Yojana

6.3.1 This requires greater transparency in the implementation of the lAY at various
levels and hinges on the assumption that people should have access to information
about implementation of these programmes in all their aspects. Disclosure of
information should be the rule and withholding of information an exception. List of
items (illustrative not exhaustive) on which information should invariably be made
available to people to bring about greater transparency at village, block and district
level is given below.
6.3.2 VILLAGE LEVEL

(i) List of people below poverty line in the village.

(ii) List of disaster resistant construction features suitable for the
region/locality.
(iii) List of beneficiaries identified during preceding year and current year
including details of SC/ST, women beneficiaries and physically/
mentally challenged persons under Indira Awaas Yojana.
(iv) Allocation made to the village under Indira Awaas Yojana.
(v) Guidelines of Indira Awaas Yojana/ criteria of selecting beneficiaries.
(vi) Display of Indira Awaas Yojana signboard/ logo on the allotted houses.

6.3.3. BLOCK LEVEL

(i) Details of houses taken up at Block level with cost, sources of funds
and implementing agency.
(ii) Distribution of funds village-wise for the scheme.
(iii) Allocation/availability of funds and progress in implementation of the
Indira Awaas Yojana.

6.3.4 DISTRICT LEVEL

(i) Distribution of the lAY funds block-wise/ village-wise for the scheme.
(ii) Criteria for distribution of funds to blocks/ villages including norms for
its selection under the Indira Awaas Yojana.

USE OF LOW COST TECHNOLOGY

7.1 There is a felt need for standardizing, popularizing and replicating cost-
effective, disaster resistant and environment-friendly housing construction
technologies, designs and materials and also developing ideal sustainable rural
human settlements consistent with geo-climatic variations and natural disaster
proneness. There is also a need for skill up gradation of rural artisans and other
functionaries engaged in the field of rural housing and Habitat Development for
adoption of cost effective technologies, materials etc. For adoption of such
technologies necessary low cost material is also required to be reduced.
7.2 Development of Low Cost Rural Housing Technology through RBC

Under the Programme, efforts may be made to develop appropriate

technologies and capacity building at the grassroot level in order to provide
affordable house to the rural poor. This objective can be achieved by making use of
the already established Rural Building Centres (RBCs) either by the Ministry or by
HUDCO for transfer of technology, dissemination of information, skill upgradation
through training, production of cost-effective and environment-friendly
material/components, assistance and guidance to rural households/IAY beneficiaries
in adoption of cost effective technologies/materials in construction of their houses.

7.3 Monitoring of the on going Projects for their successful completion

The implementation of the already sanctioned ongoing projects of Innovative

Stream for Rural Housing and Habitat Development and Rural Building Centres
(RBCs) shall be monitored by the Ministry of Rural Development. The implementing
Agency will be required to furnish the physical and financial progress of the project
on quarterly basis regularly in the Proforma –III & IV respectively. Further, it
shall be open to the Ministry of Rural Development to get the projects verified by
HUDCO/NLM/Area Officers/any other agency to facilitate the releases of fund to
implementing agencies and completion of the projects. The Ministry of Rural
Development can get these projects evaluated at any time and by any agency, if it
so desires.