Nineteen-year-old Ajay Kumar is a resident of Sonbhadra in Uttar Pradesh. Following an outbreak of smallpox at the age of 5, Ajay lost his eyesight completely. But he still managed to study, and he is currently pursuing Class 12.
 
Ajay was born into a low income household, and his parents and siblings shared the family home with his maternal grandparents. Due to some discord, they were not welcome in that space. Looking for alternative accommodation options, Ajay came across the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), and he applied for the state sponsored benefit.
 
Under PMAY, the government provides an interest subsidy of 6.5% (for EWS and LIG), 4% for MIG-I and 3% for MIG-II on housing loans availed by the beneficiaries for a period of 20 years under credit link subsidy scheme (CLSS) from the start of a loan. The houses under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana are constructed through an eco-friendly technology and while allotting ground floors in any housing scheme under PMAY, preference is given to persons with disabilities and senior citizens.
 
Waiting for months, he realized that the Gram Pradhan was clearing applications of other residents and purposefully discriminating against a person with vision impairment. Ajay was also made to submit a fee of INR 15000, to expedite his application and yet things didn’t proceed further. This after the family had to borrow money to arrange for the said sum.
 
When Ajay contacted the Eyeway Helpdesk, our counselor suggested him to file an official complaint with the District Magistrate (DM). On approaching the local officials, he found out that his online application registered him as a person without disability. Despite the DM’s nudge to the Gram Panchayat on clearing his application, Ajay’s case remained unresolved.
 
The Eyeway counselor has now requested a local NGO to intervene, verify details and pursue this matter with the relevant authorities. It is pertinent that someone on ground physically is available to help Ajay.
 
Eyeway continues to be in touch with him, hoping that the local activist will be able to help the family avail the benefits of this government scheme.
 
Team Eyeway