Mangaluru: Genuine beneficiaries of housing schemes implemented by Rajiv Gandhi Rural Housing Corporation Ltd. (RGRHCL) have till October 9 to file applications for release of funds that have been locked for non-compliance of norms, said Housing and Urban Development Minister U.T. Khader here on Sunday.

Talking to reporters, Mr. Khader said funds of nearly 69,000 housing scheme beneficiaries were locked for non-commencement of construction and other reasons. Following requests by beneficiaries, the State government invited applications along with photographs of the sites concerned between September 5 and 20 for one-time release of locked funds. Funds were released to 18,000 applicants who were found to be genuine, while a few were rejected as they had submitted wrong photographs.

Mr. Khader said some beneficiaries and elected representatives had demanded another opportunity for filing applications. Hence, the State government has allowed beneficiaries to submit applications to the concerned gram panchayat between September 25 to October 9. “The concerned PDO should personally visit the site of the applicant and verify the state of construction. If he/she finds the applicant’s case to be genuine, the PDO should send a mail to the RGRHCL, which will take action to release funds,” Mr. Khader said, and added that action would be taken against the PDO if the finding was incorrect.

The Minister said the State government was proposing to increase the income criterion of beneficiaries of housing schemes from the below poverty line category from ₹32,000 to ₹1.2 lakh per annum.