How Do I Apply For A Housing Scheme In Karnataka?
Housing has been known as a basic human need. For this goal, the Karnataka Govt. has drawn up many schemes to make housing affordable in the state. In April 2000, the Karnataka Government came up with the Rajiv Gandhi Rural Housing Corporation Ltd.(RGRHCL) scheme. Through this scheme, it is providing affordable housing for persons belonging to Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) and Low-Income Groups (LIG). It is implementing four types of housing schemes, i,e. Rural Ashraya/Basava Vasathi Yojana, Housing for special occupational groups, Namma Mane, and Ambedkar Yojana. Ambedkar Yojana is reserved for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in Gubbi taluk of Tumkur district. It evaluates the awareness about the scheme and identifies restrictions in the implementation of the scheme. Let us find out how to avail of the benefits of the housing schemes in Karnataka.
RGRHCL is a nodal agency of the state government and it takes care of the implementation of the housing scheme for EWS.
RGRHCL’s main intentions are the effective implementation of guidelines set by the government and maintain quality in construction.
What are the eligibility criteria for a housing scheme in Karnataka?
It’s compulsory that one should meet all the below-mentioned criteria to avail benefits under the housing scheme in Karnataka.
- The applicant can either be a woman (married or unmarried), a physically challenged person, a senior citizen (including both female and male), ex-soldier, or a widow/widower.
- A family which applies for a house under Indira Awas Yojana should score less than 30 points in all family surveys.
- An Applicant should not obtain a residential facility from any other scheme.
- Applicant’s family should be economically and socially underprivileged and their annual income should be less than Rs 32,000.
- Applicants should be homeless or don’t hold any pucca house in either his or other members of the family member’s name in any part of the state.
- Applicants can hold their own land/plot.
What are the documents required for applying for a housing scheme in Karnataka?
After the approval process, the local body will issue the construction order. After receiving the constriction order, beneficiaries should submit the following documents to the Panchayat:
- Beneficiaries should first open their savings account and submit the xerox copy of the passbook.
- Applicants can submit their fresh application in Form No-1 to the Grama Panchayat or can submit online.
- Caste certificate (only for SC and ST applicants)
- Income Proof Certificate (below Rs 32,000)
- If the applicant is a holder of a site, then he should submit title deed of that land
- Identity card (ration card/Aadhar/Bank account, voter ID card)
Beneficiaries should submit a xerox copy of all these documents to the Gram Panchayat and officers should verify the certificates during spot visit. Gram Panchayats will verify all the applications and mention reasons for the rejection. All applicants will receive SMS for the approval or the refusal of the application.
When is the right time to apply for the Rajiv Gandhi Rural Housing Corporation Ltd housing scheme?
Every year, Gram Panchayats revises the list in the month of January. Applicants can submit their applications during that time. The concerned department will give a full advertisement for the scheme.
Who can be the beneficiary of this scheme?
As mentioned, beneficiaries must be a woman only. If the land is in the name of the husband then that should be transferred to his wife to avail of this benefit.
Why is it compulsory for opening a bank account for applying for a housing scheme in Karnataka?
All beneficiaries can open a zero balance account under the Rajiv Gandhi Housing Scheme. During the opening of bank accounts, applicants have to submit the Identity card (Voter ID/ Driving license/BPL card/Aadhar card)
After opening an account, beneficiaries should provide the following details to the bank: 1) Filled-in application form, 2) Passport size photos, 3) Signature of a beneficiary certified by Panchayat Development officer
Soon after getting the order to construct the house, beneficiaries should start their work. Within 3-months, beneficiaries should complete their preliminary work like laying the foundation. Otherwise, his/her application will be canceled. For starting the construction work, the beneficiary will get a small amount. The remaining amount will be released step-by-step based on the completion of the work. Subsidy amounts will be issued directly to the beneficiary’s account.
What is the Special Housing Scheme?
Government has planned “special housing scheme” for people belonging to the special category including:
- Physically challenged
- Transgender
- Devadasis
- Bonded labors
- Victims of communal violence
- Beedi labors, Hamamelis, and other skilled labors (Special professionals)
- HIV victims
- Sexual workers
- Widow
- Poura Karmika
- Nomads who stay in a temporary house
How will the govt identify the special category of people?
The government has set a special team under the leadership of District Collector (DC) to give housing facilities to the special category people. They will identify the beneficiaries with the help of the local body.
What is the Group Housing Scheme?
Usually, the first preference will be given to the construction of an individual house. But in this scheme, the beneficiary has to construct the house in his own land and initially, he should spend money from his own pocket.
It will be very difficult to give the necessary basic facilities like water, electricity, drainage, road, etc. But it can be easily given under the Group Housing Scheme. Beneficiaries shortlisted under this scheme have to sign an agreement letter with the housing corporation.
What is Aashraya Rural Housing Scheme?
This scheme has been planned mainly for the families that don’t have housing sites. Therefore, to afford a house for those families, the state government has introduced the Aashraya Housing Scheme in the rural areas of Karnataka.
How to avail of the Aashraya Housing Scheme?
It is necessary for the beneficiaries to follow specific rules and regulations set by the state government. They are:
- Under this housing scheme, beneficiaries should not give their house for rent, lease or can not sell that to others up to 10-years.
- Beneficiaries must reside in that house and they should not leave it vacant or on rent. If in case the beneficiary violates the rule, Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer will take necessary steps against it.
- According to the rules, the beneficiary has to repay the housing loan and subsidy with 11% interest.
Who can take action against the misuse of the houses and how?
The CEO should form an investigative team to collect details about the misuse of the houses. Criminal cases can be registered against the beneficiaries who have given false information.
How To Avail The Subsidy Amount?
After the completion of each stage, the beneficiary has to upload the related photos to the website to avail of the subsidy amount. Beneficiaries should upload good quality photos otherwise it will be rejected. After the required verification, the department will issue the subsidy amount to the beneficiary’s account.
Are there any photo uploading tips for the beneficiaries?
Photos should be submitted in the following 3-stages. It is necessary that the beneficiary and PDO/secretary should be there in every photo which will be clicked in three different stages.
Foundation stage:
After laying a foundation, the photo should be uploaded to the website
Window stage:
Doors and windows should be clearly visible in the photo
Roof stage:
In this stage, the construction of walls should be completed and should be clearly visible in the photo.
What points should be kept in mind during the construction of the house?
Points to consider during the construction of the house:
- While constructing the house, beneficiaries’ expenditure should not cross four times more than the subsidy amount.
- Beneficiaries should upload good quality photos otherwise it will be rejected. All 3-stage photos should be clearly visible.
- Under this housing scheme, beneficiaries should not give their house for rent, lease or can not sell that to others up to 10-years
- If the subsidy is utilized for rejuvenation of an old house then the amount will be rejected
What will happen if the house has been built other than residential purposes?
If the house has been built other than for residential purposes, then the subsidy will be rejected.
What is the solution if the beneficiary wants to utilize the subsidy amount for the extension of the existing house, rejuvenation of old house, wants to use the house for non-residential purposes, or the construction amount crosses the fixed subsidy?
If the beneficiary wants to utilize the subsidy amount for the extension of the existing house, rejuvenation of old house, if he wants to use the house for non-residential purpose and if construction amount crosses the fixed subsidy, then he should submit an application in the fixed format to the concerned officer. The money will be released after certifying the application by the concerned officer.
What is the procedure of changing the name and address in the application form?
If an applicant wants to make any changes in the application like name, address, DoB, category, then he has to submit the application in a prescribed format and concerned officers will make necessary changes in the website.
Proposals should be submitted to the executive officers along with the following documents:
- The proposal should be submitted in Form-9 to make changes in the name of the village, category, gender/address
- Request letter from the beneficiary
- The applicant has to submit a voter ID card, Caste certificate/ and other documents
- After the necessary changes, the chief executive officer will make a digital signature on that copy
How to change the Name of father and husband in the application form?
If an applicant wants to make any changes in the name of the husband or father, the proposal should be submitted in Form-10. Along with it, the beneficiary should submit a request letter and certificates obtained from the Notary.
How to add a new owner to the list?
In case if the beneficiary dies in between, then the new owner should be added to the list. Procedure to add the new owner:
- The application should be submitted in Form-11
- It should include request letter and a certificate from the notary
- Copy of the bank passbook in the name of the new owner
- The death certificate and other necessary documents should be submitted along with the above-mentioned documents.
- Generally, a family can not be reselected after availing a facility under a housing scheme but it can be considered during the following conditions
- If the house has crossed 20 years and if it is damaged
- In case of natural calamities
How to check the beneficiaries’ status online?
To check the beneficiaries’ status online, follow these simple steps:
- Open the ashraya.karnataka.gov.in
- Select District from the list
- Mention beneficiary code in the box
- Click on submit button
Image Source: ashraya.karnataka.gov.in
