Former MP flays MHA decision to turn down Chandigarh Employees Housing Scheme 2008

Pawan Kumar Bansal, former MP and union minister, has expressed his anguish over the non-implementation of the Chandigarh Employees Housing Scheme 2008. Reacting to the decision of ministry of home affairs (MHA) turning down the proposal of administration to allot land for the housing scheme, he said housing is  a public purpose and the government has turned down the propel on untenable grounds and the employees had been promised the same where after the they had all deposited the initial amount asked for.

Bansal said, these houses are not being given for free and the employees have been wrongly denied their right.

Citing shortage of land in Chandigarh, the MHA has rejected the proposal, which Bansal said was unjustified and shows lack of intent of the government to ensure welfare of the employees. He said when land has already been acquired for the purpose, how can the government take such an illogical stand that it may have its own requirements for setting up offices of its ministries and departments.

Chandigarh administration had decided to give 61.5 acres to Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB) for the construction of apartments for 3,930 employees under a 2008 self-financing scheme. The ministry has rejected the demand stating that Union government may have own requirements for establishing the offices of its ministries and departments.

Bansal said it is a fallacious argument and shows that the government is trying to run away from its own commitment. He said over 7000 employees of the administration had applied for the said scheme and over 3930 lucky ones had started depositing money after the draw of lots in November 2008, for the scheme and now rejection after about 9 years is nothing worse that cheating the UT Employees.