Kejriwal writes to PM Modi proposing joint housing scheme for Government employees

| | New Delhi
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Kejriwal writes to PM Modi proposing joint housing scheme for Government employees

Monday, 20 January 2025 | Staff Reporter | New Delhi

AAP Convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposing a joint housing scheme for government employees, particularly sanitation workers, in Delhi ahead of the assembly elections, slated to be held on February 5.

Addressing a press conference, Kejriwal has proposed a joint Housing Scheme with the Centre, aimed at ensuring they live with dignity and security in their post-service years. The scheme will be piloted with employees of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) before being extended to all government employees across Delhi.

The AAP chief urged the central government to allocate land in Delhi at concessional rates for the scheme. “The AAP Government will construct affordable housing units on this land, enabling Safai Karamcharis to pay for their homes in easy installments deducted during their service. By the time they retire, they would have a home to call their own, eliminating the risk of homelessness and financial strain,” he said.

“Particularly for the poor, owning a house or renting one is almost impossible. During a recent visit to my New Delhi constituency, many Safai Karamcharis approached me. As long as they are employed, they have access to government accommodation,” he said.

However, he added that after retirement, they are almost left homeless. “Since land in Delhi falls under the jurisdiction of the central government, if the central government provides land at highly subsidized rates, the Delhi government will construct houses on it. The government employees can become the owners of these houses by paying easy installments,” he said.

Arvind Kejriwal said that he has requested the Prime Minister to initiate this scheme specifically for Safai Karamcharis. “It can begin with the Safai Karamcharis of NDMC (New Delhi Municipal Council) and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD). Under this scheme, the central government will provide land, and the Delhi government will construct houses. The Safai Karamcharis can deduct installments for the house from their salaries in the final years of their employment. By the time they retire, they will have a house to live a dignified life,” he added.

Meanwhile, Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva accused Kejriwal of targeting economically weaker sections (EWS) and sanitation workers, claiming that if the central government provides land, he will build flats for them after their retirement.

“The central government built flats for the EWS in Delhi at a cost of Rs 2,415 crore rupees, but in 10 years, the Arvind Kejriwal government has failed to ensure that the benefits of these flats reach the poor,” he claimed.

He alleged that Kejriwal seized the entire file despites the flat being ready and insisted that the flats will not be handed over unless they are named under the Chief Minister Housing Scheme, even though more than half of the funds came from the central government.

“These flats have now become ruins due to Kejriwal’s obstinacy, as he insisted that his photo be placed on the flats,” he said.

The Delhi BJP chief added, “When it came to repairing the flats, both departments of the Delhi government, DUSIB and DSIDC, requested nearly Rs 220 crore rupees from Kejriwal. However, in 2023, Kejriwal only allocated Rs 1 lakh rupees and then claimed there were no funds. This highlights the gap between his words and actions when it comes to the poor.”

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