India Spent Rs 100 cr in 2nd Phase of SL Housing Project

7 April 2013 09:30 am - 6 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

India has processed more than 15,500 transactions and disbursed Rs 100 crore in the last six months to beneficiaries in Sri Lanka under the second phase of the housing project there with the help of five Indian banks.

New Delhi, which launched the direct cash transfer on October 2 last year, has planned to spend Rs 1,000 crore for construction of 43,000 house units in the second phase of the housing project.

During 2013-14, an amount of Rs 375 crore is expected to be incurred towards the implementation of this project meant for displaced Tamils.

Out of 43,000 units, 39,000 houses are in Northern Province and 4,000 in Eastern Province of Sri Lanka.

Giving details of the "owner-driven" model adopted by India for the second phase, officials said government transfers a cash grant of SLR 5.50 lakh (Sri Lankan Rupees) directly into the bank accounts of beneficiaries in four instalments for construction of new houses and a cash grant of upto SLR 2,50,000 in three instalments for repairs of existing houses.

The work is directly executed by the beneficiaries themselves.

A dedicated Development Cooperation Wing has been set up in the Indian High Commission in Colombo, with a number of additional staff deployed to facilitate the implementation of the growing projects portfolio, they said.

"We have utilised SLR 2.28 billion (INR 100 crore) for the housing project since the launch of its second phase six months ago and as on March 30 this year, the Indian mission in Colombo has processed 15,586 transactions (1st instalment- 11,379, 2nd instalment-3,448, 3rd instalment–741 and 4th instalment-18 beneficiary files)," officials said.

The funds for the project are transferred through five Indian banks operating in Colombo -- State Bank of India, Axis Bank, Indian Bank, Indian Overseas Bank and ICICI Bank. Each bank has been allocated a specific area of jurisdiction for transferring funds to beneficiaries falling within their jurisdiction.

Beneficiaries have the freedom to open a savings bank account with a bank of their choice. Funds are transferred through Sri Lanka Inter Bank Payment System (SLIPS) to the bank accounts of the beneficiaries within one working day.

Four implementing agencies (IAs) -- UN-Habitat (UN-Agency), International Federation of Red Cross (I-NGO), Habitat for Humanity (I-NGO) and National Housing Development Authority (agency of GoSL) -- have been appointed by the Government of India facilitate the construction of the houses.

The IAs in consultation with the district officials select the beneficiaries as per an agreed scoring criteria agreed by both governments. The agencies facilitate the transfer of funds to the beneficiaries by the Mission in different stages depending on the physical progress of the work.

These agencies also provide training to the beneficiaries, offer the required assistance for selecting design of the houses, mobilising construction material and labour and provide technical assistance and training to the beneficiaries to complete their houses.

Based on files prepared for each beneficiary by the IAs, incorporating the details of the family, bank accounts, land deeds, identity particulars, agreements, photographic proof showing the stage of construction (with the beneficiaries), fund request, the Mission processes the files for payment and funds are transferred directly into the bank accounts of the beneficiaries and intimated to them.

India has already completed the Pilot Project involving construction of 1,000 houses in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka under agency-driven model in 2012.

The houses have been handed over to the beneficiaries. The Project is under defect liability period till July 31 this year. Action is being taken to rectify the defects noticed in the construction during this period, officials said.

For the third phase of the project involving construction of 4,000 houses for families of estate workers of Central/Uva province, who are predominantly of 'Indian Origin Tamils', the Project Management Consultant has been finalised while WAPCOS will execute the contract.

During 2013-14, an amount of Rs 25 crore is expected to be incurred towards the implementation of this project. The total cost of this multi-year project is Rs 212 crore. (Out Look India)

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 6

AAAA Sunday, 07 April 2013 10:07 AM

We are lions We don't need your vadai. Dosai. Sampae, at least give us Jayalalitha , cause Mervin is here

MRN Sunday, 07 April 2013 10:47 AM

what a politics , they helped the war crimes and destructed sri lanka , now they help to build houses, what a joke

Unionan Sunday, 07 April 2013 11:39 AM

Money spent and victims never go benefited. Bulk has share between India & Sri Lankan politicians & buracrats.

MerwynSilva Sunday, 07 April 2013 11:55 AM

Never knew of such a deal! Who is benefiting?

raviraj Monday, 08 April 2013 03:24 AM

but you need Indian money to build KKS Port

SAM_SPARROW Monday, 08 April 2013 04:34 AM

How about lions can give money to build houses in North and East?

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

India Spent Rs 100 cr in 2nd Phase of SL Housing Project

Comments - 6

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

‘Spike in blast fishing’ poses renewed threats to Sri Lanka’s marine ecosystems

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Most Viewed in News

Uma Oya Development Project inaugurated

Gota fires back at Cardinal, rebuts allegations

Ranil Wickremesinghe caravan moves on despite barking dogs

Racing event tragedy leaves seven dead including eight-year-old child

Man who jumped off Sri Pada Uda Maluwa and went missing, found

SL on alert on possible genocide allegations by Canada

MIRROR CRICKET

Sahan Arachchige to lead Sri Lanka ‘A’

Is Chamari Athapaththu Sri Lanka’s greatest cricketer ever?

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Chamari Athapaththu sets big goal for T20 World Cup

TODAY'S HEADLINES

Sri Lanka to establish new energy sector regulator

Cabinet nod to transfer China-built Mattala airport’s management to Indian, Russian joint venture

Sajith never attends dinners hosted by Ranil Wickremesinghe

One soldier dead, nine injured in road crash

Sahan Arachchige to lead Sri Lanka ‘A’

Dates confirmed for 78th Bradby Shield

SLAS appoints independent committee for investigation

Pakistan lose key players for last two T20Is against New Zealand