Jamshedpur PM Awas: Saryu Roy Threatens Hunger Strike if Beneficiaries Don’t Get House Keys

Jamshedpur: Jamshedpur West MLA Saryu Roy hosted a meeting at his Bistupur residence with over 75 beneficiaries regarding the allocation of houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) in Birsanagar. The session, attended by JNAC Deputy Municipal Commissioner (DMC) Krishna Kumar and JUIDCO Project Manager Dhananjay Kumar, addressed the ongoing delays in handing over residential units.

“Will Fast from June 1 if Keys are Not Delivered”: Saryu Roy

MLA Saryu Roy issued a stern ultimatum to authorities regarding the project deadline:

• The Ultimatum: “If the project is not ready by May 31 and beneficiaries do not receive their keys, I will sit on a hunger strike starting June 1”.
• Government Liaison: “I have met the Minister to inform him of the hardships faced by beneficiaries. If the drainage and road work begins, I will request the Minister to officially hand over the keys”.
• Infrastructure Gaps: Roy noted that JUIDCO has not yet handed the project to JNAC because essential components like roads and drainage systems remain unfinished.

Official Responses and Project Status

• The Project Manager’s View: Dhananjay Kumar stated, “The drainage tender is finalized and work will be awarded soon. We need one month to complete the drains. If road funds are not sanctioned in time, we will lay fly ash to ensure residents have a path to their homes”.
• The DMC’s Advisory: Krishna Kumar told beneficiaries, “Do not take decisions unilaterally. JNAC cannot take over the project until JUIDCO completes the road and drainage work. Please maintain patience for at least one more month”.

Beneficiary Grievances and Emotional Outbursts

The prolonged delay led to emotional scenes during the meeting:

• Broken Promises: One beneficiary remarked, “You promised housewarming ceremonies in 2023, and now it is 2026. Many people have already passed away waiting. We need a written date, not more verbal assurances”.
• Fear of Loss: Several women broke into tears, expressing fear that they might die before ever moving into their allotted homes.
• Immediate Demand: Beneficiaries suggested, “Give us the keys now and continue your work; we won’t enter the houses yet, but we need the keys”.

Discrepancies in Meter Charges

The meeting also highlighted inconsistent electricity meter fees across Jharkhand:

• Price Gaps: Beneficiaries pointed out that while meters were free in Ranchi and cost ₹1,500 in Bokaro, they are being charged ₹13,600 in Jamshedpur.
• Inquiry: Saryu Roy contacted the Bokaro Deputy Commissioner during the meeting to verify these claims and investigate why charges differ under the same central scheme.