Agartala, Oct 3 (TIWN): The state which topped the list of job creator states in the country under MGNREGA for consecutive years, today criticized the Union government for delay in releasing the second installment for the program, Rural Development Minister Jitendra Choudhury said.

    Talking to reporters here on Thursday at civil secretariat the minister said even after repeated request the Central government did not release the second installment adding the Rural Department took an advance of Rs 27 crores from the finance department to continue  work under the central welfare scheme ahead of Durga Puja.  

    The minister stated that the department has Rs 17crore and additional Rs 40 crores is required to give 5 man – days to job seekers under the central scheme before puja. All 8 DMs were directed to grant at least 5 man –days to all job seekers across the State. The exercise is expected to generate 34 thousand man – days.

     Speaking about Indira Awas Yojana, Mr.Choudhury informed that in this financial year 38, 000 BPL homeless will be covered under the project. He said that 9,000 homeless will be funded by the new scheme launched State Government.

        The minister informed that in next five years the government is expected to give housing benefits to 1 lakh 3 thousand 589 BPL families. “We want to ensure that nobody in Tripura remains homeless by the end the tenure of this government” Mr. Choudhury added.      

    A new scheme called ‘Tripura Rajya Griha Nirman Prakalpa” was launched by the State Government. The scheme is expected to provide housing benefits to 55 thousand BPL homeless people across the State.