Councillors and officials sensitised on RAY and SJSRY

GANGTOK, 04 Nov: A Programme on Sensitization of the 2 Centrally Sponsored Schemes under the Ministry of Housing & Urban Poverty  Alleviation, namely Rajiv Awaz Yojana (RAY) and Swarna Jayanti Sahari Rozgar Yojana (SJSRY) was conducted on 1 November 2011 in the Conference Hall of GMC Office in Deorali.
The programme was especially designed for the elected members of the Urban Local Bodies in Sikkim and conducted by Officials of the UD&HD.
The Meeting was Chaired by the Deputy Mayor-GMC. The Additional Secretary, UD&HD gave a power point presentation on the SJSRY Scheme and clarified all issues raised by the members. The Power Point on RAY was given by the Chief Accounts Officer, UD&HD who is also the Nodal Officer for the Scheme.
The ULB members and Officials were sensitized about the importance of the Schemes in alleviating the incidence of poverty prevailing in the Urban Areas. Since the Schemes are to be implemented at the ULB level, they were urged to take it up with sincerity and seriousness since the Ministry of Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation and GOI are closely monitoring the progress of the schemes.
RAY is a programme which emphasises a Slum free India while encouraging States/UTs to tackle the problem of slums in a definitive manner. It calls for a multi pronged approach focussing on :-
1.    Bringing existing slums within the formal system and enabling them to avail of the same level of basic amenities as the rest of the Town.
2.    Redressing the failures of the formal system that lie behind the creation of slums and
3.    Tackling the shortages of Urban Land and Housing that keep shelter out of the reach of Urban Poor and force them to resort to extra-legal solutions in a bid to retain their sources of livelihood and employment.
SJSRY is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation, Govt of India, that targets the Urban Poor especially women, by way of Self-employment through  group enterprise, formation of Self-Help Groups , Thrift and Credit Societies, employment  centric training and skill development, and creation of community assets.
The day long programme was attended by the elected representatives of the Urban Locals Bodies, Officers and staff of UD&HD, Gangtok Municipal Corporation, Namchi Municipal Council, and Nagar Panchayat  Offices. The Programme ended with a vote of Thanks by the Municipal Commissioner-GMC who urged all to cooperate and ensure that genuine beneficiaries were selected for these Schemes.