Access to secure, permanent housing remains a persistent challenge for many economically weaker families across Gujarat, particularly those from marginalised communities who often live in dilapidated structures or without a home of their own. Dr. Ambedkar Awas Yojana, launched in 1999 by the director of scheduled caste welfare, department of social justice & empowerment, government of Gujarat is a welfare schemes aimed at enabling such families to construct homes of their own in both urban and rural pockets of the state
Benefits
Eligible scheduled caste beneficiaries receive assistance of Rs 1,20,000 for house construction in both urban and rural areas. The amount is released in three instalments: the first instalment of Rs 40,000 is paid upon the order of administrative sanction; the second instalment of Rs 60,000 is paid once construction reaches the lintel level; and Rs 20,000 is paid upon completion of construction, including the toilet.
Eligibility and documents required
The applicant must be a native of Gujarat and must belong to the SC category. They must not own a residential home, or a plot for residence. Neither the applicant nor any other family member should have already availed benefits under any other government housing scheme. The annual income limit is Rs 6,00,000 in both rural and urban areas.Beneficiaries eligible for the separate Rs 12,000 toilet assistance. However, constructing a toilet is mandatory in order to receive the Rs 1,20,000 assistance.The upper limit on construction cost is Rs 10,00,000 for urban areas and Rs 7,00,000 for rural areas, though this ceiling does not apply to assistance provided under the Affordable Housing Scheme in urban areas. Construction must be completed within two years of the first instalment being paid. The beneficiary must be at least 21 years of age.The beneficiary may also be granted benefits under the scheme if his adult son or brother wishes to build a house on the first floor of a property, where the ground floor is currently registered in another person’s name, provided the house owner or landlord consents.The documents required include a passport-size photograph, Aadhaar card of the applicant, caste certificate, ration card, proof of annual income, proof of residence (any one of electricity bill, licence, lease agreement, electoral card or ration card), proof of land ownership or title deed, a copy of the first page of the bank passbook or a cancelled cheque in the applicant’s name, proof of the husband’s death (if the applicant is a widow), a copy of the map showing the land area on which the house is to be constructed, election identity card, house construction certificate, self-declaration, a photograph of the open plot or dilapidated house where construction is to take place, and any other documents as required.
Application process
Eligible applicants can apply online through the e-Samaj Kalyan Portal. On the home page, under the “Citizen Login” tab, new users should click on “Please Register Here” and enter their full name as per Aadhaar card, gender, date of birth, Aadhaar card number, email ID and caste, before clicking “Register”. Once registered, applicants can log in using their user ID and password.Applicants should then click on “User Profile” to update their profile, filling in all mandatory information before clicking “Update”. After the profile has been updated, the applicant should select the scheme from the home page, which will open the application form. All mandatory details must be filled in and relevant documents uploaded, following which the applicant must agree to the terms and conditions and click “Save Application”. Finally, the application should be submitted, and a printout taken for future reference. Applicants can note their application number to track the status of their application by logging into the portal with their user ID and password.
