In last two days, PCMC has sold nearly 10,000 forms to the would-be beneficiaries who have been queuing up at four divisional offices of the PCMC since early morning. “We have sold 9,987 forms collecting a revenue close to Rs five lakh. But we are also giving an affidavit to the residents who should submit it after going through the necessary legal procedure,” said assistant municipal commissioner Sudhir Joshi, adding that revenue collection is “not at all” the motto. The highest number of 3,899 forms were sold by the ‘C’ divisional office located in Nehrunagar. Divisional chief R D Gaikwad said people have been queuing since 6 in the morning. “The form sale will go on till January 18.”

The 13,250 flat scheme is meant for the urban poor, people who could not be accommodated in the Slum Rehabilitation Scheme and citizens displaced by road widening. “The scheme is all about providing houses to the dishoused and people who dream of a decent house but have no wherewithals to purchase it,” said Joshi, who is looking after both the slum rehabilitation scheme as well as scheme for the urban poor.

Each flat will measure 465 square feet and will be constructed in different parts of the town, including upmarket Pradhikaran. The criteria for becoming a beneficiary include: annual salary up to Rsv 60,000, he or she should be a resident of Pimpri-Chinchwad, he or she should not own a house anywhere. “The scheme is for the benefit of people like anganwadi sevika, unorganised labourers, domestic helps, hotel waiters,” he said.

The Centre has asked the PCMC to submit the list of beneficiaries by February 15. “From January 18 to 31, we will carry out the scrutiny of forms. Those eligible will be sent an allotment letter. They will have to pay Rsv 30,000. Those who fail to pay will make way for the 10 per cent waiting list,” he said, adding that the PCMC had submitted the proposal to the Centre for a “sustainable slumless city.” Joshi said for the remaining Rsv 1.20 lash, PCMC will help the beneficiaries get loans from banks at low interest rates.