Kolkata: Bengal govt is taking up pilot projects in North 24 Parganas and Hooghly to facilitate the implementation of affordable housing for jute mill workers under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Urban 2.0 scheme. Around 8,000 mill workers, who have expressed interest, will be eligible once their applications are verified and processed.State labour minister Arjun Singh said the initiative went beyond the construction of houses and represented a fundamental step towards ensuring dignity, security and a better quality of life for jute mill workers and their families.Jute mill workers with an annual household income of up to Rs 3 lakh and who do not own a pucca house anywhere in the country are eligible for the scheme subject to verification. Each dwelling unit will have a carpet area of 30 to 45 sq mt comprising at least two rooms, a kitchen and a toilet. Each flat, having 485 sq ft carpet area, will tentatively cost Rs 5.5 lakh.In North 24 Parganas, Bhatpara, Titagarh and Kamarhati municipalities have been directed to identify encumbrance-free land. In Hooghly, special camps will be organised with the assistance of the labour commissionerate for facilitating mill workers in submitting their applications.The labour department is coordinating with urban local bodies, representatives of trade unions and mill managements to identify eligible beneficiaries.
