In Gujarat, under the economically weaker sections (EWS) housing scheme, 1,239 applicants were recently given allotment letters by the State Revenue Minister Anandiben Patel.
The scheme was announced by Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority (AUDA) in 2000-01 for economically weaker sections. In all, 18,000 applications were received in 2000-01. Anandiben Patel promised that the houses would be handed over to the beneficiaries before Diwali as a "new year gift from Narendrabhai Modi, the State Chief Minister.
She said all the houses under the scheme would have metered water supply. Patel said that after introduction of the "new, transparent, slum-free cities" policy, many builders had come forward to take part. The three schemes, houses for which have come up, are in Vastral, Nikol and Shilaj areas.