In an effort to enhance transparency in the allocation of houses to urban poor beneficiaries, the Housing and Urban Development Department of Odisha has introduced a new web-based House Allotment System (HAS). The system aims to ensure that the rightful beneficiaries receive their entitled benefits.
Under Model I of the government’s Housing for All Scheme, which involves private developers, 10% of housing units in their projects are reserved for the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS). The HAS will be utilized for allotting houses prepared by private developers through this model.
To facilitate a clear and accountable process, a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) has been issued. The SOP outlines the eligibility criteria, step-by-step registration process, fee payments, and the roles of project developers and development authorities.
The web-based HAS will establish a transparent system for allotting EWS housing units, focusing on predictability, transparency, and social auditing, as stated in the SOP.
According to the procedure outlined, project developers are required to provide details of EWS houses available for sale in the web-based system and register project details with the relevant development authority or municipal bodies. Prospective beneficiaries must register through the HAS and apply for the allotment of EWS houses following notifications. Once the allotment process is complete, beneficiaries can make the final payment to acquire their homes.
Throughout this process, development authorities or municipal bodies will monitor activities in the web-based system. They will scrutinize beneficiary applications, accept or reject project data submitted by developers, ensuring a thorough and accountable allotment process.
Director of Housing, Debasis Singh, noted that approximately 1,500 EWS housing units in Bhubaneswar and nearby areas are being prepared for allotment, and the new web-based system is introduced to facilitate a transparent allocation process.