JAIPUR: Implementation of the state government's ambitious 'Mukhyamantri Gramin BPL Awas Yojana' which aims to providing shelter to 10 lakh BPL families in rural areas over the next three years was launched across the state on Monday. Selected BPL families were handed over the sanction letters of the first installment of grant under the housing scheme at programmes held at the panchayat samiti levels.

The scheme was first announced by UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi during her visit to Banswara last month. Under both the 'Mukhyamantri Gramin BPL Awas Yojana' and 'Indira Awas Yojana' , the state government aims to provide 4.37 lakh houses in the current financial year, of which 1.57 would be constructed under the Indira Awas Yojna.

The state government has borrowed a loan of Rs 3,400 crore from HUDCO for the scheme and would provide each BPL family with Rs 50,000. The cost of construction of houses and toilets under both 'Mukhyamantri Gramin BPL Awas Yojana' and 'Indira Awas Yojana' during the first year is estimated to be Rs 1,400.

Chief minister Ashok Gehlot and Union minister for Rural Development Jairam Ramesh were in Pokran in western Rajasthan. In other places across the state, the district in-charge cabinet minister presided over the programmes . The distribution of more sanction letters would continue for the next two days.

Defining it as an entry into a new era in rural development in the state, Gehlot said, "MGNREGS is a boon for the villagers in the desert state, who often face drought-like situation ," he said. Gehlot said that Rajasthan has got Rs 9,000 crore in the last two-and-halfyears for rural development. Gehlot repeated his request for the centre to introduce the Right to Shelter Act, on the lines of the Right to Food.

Jairam Ramesh said it is the right of the poor to get housing facility.