Nainital: The government has taken a big step to stop the long-running rural migration in Uttarakhand and to increase employment opportunities in villages. The Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Home Housing Reconstruction Scheme of the Tourism Department is now becoming a new ray of hope for the people of the villages. Under this scheme, the government is providing financial assistance of up to Rs 30 lakh for renovating and rehabilitating old, dilapidated or vacant houses in villages. The most important thing is that the government itself will bear 50 percent of the total construction cost, which will reduce the financial burden on the villagers.
what is the purpose
The aim of the Tourism Department is that people should not leave their ancestral homes and run towards cities but should get self-employment opportunities in the villages themselves. Considering the increasing trend of homestay tourism, this scheme can directly become an attractive source of income for the youth and unemployed. The villages in the mountains, where earlier they were becoming empty, are now ready to see the hustle and bustle of tourists in the same houses.
Subsidy up to Rs 15 lakh
Nainital district tourism officer Atul Bhandari says that under this scheme, not only new homestays can be built, but old houses can be renovated and converted into attractive homestays. He told that there is a provision of subsidy up to 50 percent in the scheme, which will be provided up to a maximum of Rs 15 lakh. Apart from this, interest on loan is also subsidized by the government, which makes it easier for villagers to start projects.
Apply like this
According to Atul Bhandari, so far this year 150 people of the district have taken benefit of this scheme. This has not only provided employment to the local people but the economy of the villages is also getting strengthened. He said that due to the increasing demand for homestays, this scheme is becoming increasingly popular and in the coming time many villages can emerge as new tourist centres. To avail the benefits of this scheme, interested people can apply online by visiting www.msy.uk.in.
These documents will be needed
For the application, land documents, assessment letter, permanent residence certificate, map and other necessary documents have to be uploaded. The process is completely online, making it easy to apply while sitting in the village. This initiative of the government will not only prove to be effective in stopping migration in the coming years but will also prove to be a milestone in improving the economy of the villagers.
