Tamil Nadu Kalaignarin Kanavu Illam Scheme

Introduction

• Those are the days when people felt proud to live in huts, as the concrete houses were not prominent at that time.
• But as the development progressed, these huts were slowly taken over by the concrete houses.
• Nowadays, in urban areas, you hardly see any huts, although it can be sighted in the rural areas.
• Over time, the mindset of the people's have changed, and now these huts are considered as a symbol of poverty.
• Addressing this issue, the Tamil Nadu government introduced a scheme during their 2024-25 budget announcement called 'Kalaignarin Kanavu Illam.
• The main objective of the scheme is to make Tamil Nadu hut free by the end on 2030.
• The announced TN Kalaignarin Kanavu Illam scheme is also called as 'Tamil Nadu Kalaignarin Kanavu Illam Thittam'.
• However, the scheme is not new and was initially launched in 2010 under the name 'Kalaignar Veedu Vazhangum Thittam'.
• Regardless of the name, the primary objective of the scheme remains same i.e. to make Tamil Nadu hut free.
• With this scheme, the government aims to provide these hut dwellers with an opportunity to live a dignified life.
• For the implementation of the scheme, the government appointed Rural Department and Panchayat Raj its nodal department.
• According to the survey, there are around 8 lakh huts in the state that are still existing.
• Thus, to make TN hut free the government plans to build 8 lakhs pucca houses for these hut dwellers.
• To receive the benefits of the scheme, the government has laid some criteria that are mandatory to qualify.
• Based on these criteria, the government conducted a KVVT survey, and the beneficiaries enlisted in this survey list are going to receive scheme benefits.
• However, those who are eligible for the scheme but are not listed will also be eligible to receive the benefit.
• Since it's not easy to provide benefits to all beneficiaries at once, the government has decided to extend the benefits of the scheme in multiple phases.
• In the first phase, the government decided to build one lakh houses in the coming year.
• The construction of houses under the scheme will be integrated with the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee and Swachh Bharat Mission Gramin.
• Construction of houses will be done by the beneficiaries and the payment of the construction will be credited to the beneficiaries account.
• Beneficiaries will receive construction funds in three stages such as Basement, Roof Laid, and Completion.
• If beneficiaries are aged and unable to construct a house of their own, the construction will be executed through vendors.
• Geo tagging photographs of beneficiary and house will be uploaded online throughout the construction progress.
• Material such as cement and steel will be provided by the department to the beneficiaries in stages.
• The allotted houses will feature a unique logo displaying the name of the beneficiary, scheme name and its year of construction.
• Additionally, loans or CIF funds up to Rs 50,000/- facility shall be available to such beneficiaries who wish to construct their house as per their preference and requirement.
  
• While constructing a house, a few guidelines should be followed :-
  • The total covered area for the construction of a house is 360 sq. ft.
  • Of this area, 300 sq. ft will be covered under the RCC roofing.
  • The remaining 60 Sq. ft area can be covered with either RCC or any other non-inflammable materials as per the beneficiaries choice.
  • To construct, each house will cost around 3.5 lakhs.
  • House design will be provided by the department, which can be changed slightly at the beneficiaries' requests.
  • Bricks/ Fly ash bricks/solid blocks/interlocking blocks/ AAC blocks will be used for wall construction.
• Based on the KVVT survey, the allocation of houses under the Kalaignarin Kanavu Illam scheme will be decided by the Director of nodal department.
  • The ratio of allocation will be 40:60 for SC/ST and other categories.
  • The house will be allotted in the name of women if the patta and ownership of land is in the name of women.
  • Whereas, if the patta and ownership is in the name of male, then the house will be allotted jointly to both.
• Beneficiary list will be prepared based on the preference, including disabled individuals, widow, destitute and deserted women, and women headed families.

Benefits of Scheme

• Under the Tamil Nadu Kalaignarin Kanavu Illam Scheme, eligible households will receive the following benefits :-
  • A pacca concrete house will be provided to all eligible hut dwellers.
  • Department will provide an assistance to construct a house.
  • CIF funds or loan facility up to Rs 50,000/- will also be provided.

Eligibility Criteria

• It is important for the beneficiary to check the eligibility criteria for the Tamil Nadu Kalaignarin Kanavu Illam Scheme to receive its benefits. Households who fulfills the following guidelines are eligible for the scheme :-
  • Beneficiaries must be a native citizens of Tamil Nadu.
  • Hut dwellers living in rural areas of Tamil Nadu.
  • Beneficiaries living in huts and found eligible as per the KVVT survey.
  • Beneficiaries must have ownership or patta for their house sites.
  • Houses can only be constructed in situ land or in the beneficiary land.

Ineligibility Criteria

• Such huts are not eligible for the schemes which are given as :-
  • If occupied by tenants.
  • If used as a shelter home for animals or commercial purposes.
  • If it has an RCC /Tiled/AC Sheet/ Metal Sheet roof/ or Thatched roof.
  • If the occupants own a pucca house in another area.
  • If owned by the retired or serving Govt. employee/ PSUs/Local Bodies/ Govt aided institutions/ Board/quasi govt undertakings/ or their spouses.
  • If owned by any sitting MLA, MPs or their spouses.

Documents Required

• Beneficiary must produce their following documents when submitting application for Tamil Nadu Kalaignarin Kanavu Illam Scheme :-
  • Aadhaar Card.
  • Ration Card.
  • Photographs.
  • Address Proof.
  • Land Ownership/Patta Documents.
  • Caste Certificate.
  • Bank Accounts Details.

How to apply

• Beneficiaries keen to receive the benefits of TN Kalaignarin Kanavu Illam Scheme are not required to submit its application.
• The benefits of the Kalaignarin Kanavu Illam will be provided based on the survey conducted by the state government.'
• Beneficiaries whose names enlisted in the KVVT survey are eligible to receive scheme benefits.
• However, households not listed in the survey shall also be considered if they are eligible.

Important Link

• Tamil Nadu Kalaignarin Kanavu Illam Scheme Guidelines.
• Tamil Nadu Rural Development Department Official Website.

Contact Details

• Tamil Nadu Rural Development Contact Details.