Giving a huge relief under the ‘Shehri Awaas Yojna’ to the beneficiaries, the Local Government Minister, Punjab, Mr. Navjot Singh Sidhu has today decided to give the relaxation to those not having permanent residence proof submit as the copy of tax assessment, electricity/water/sewerage bill as the proof of residence. The relief granted courtesy Mr. Sidhu would benefit 30000 beneficiaries directly who were to be bereft of deriving the benefits entailed under the ‘Housing For All’ scheme in the absence of permanent residence proof.In a press communiqué here today, Mr. Sidhu said that it has been decided to give this relief in order to provide maximum possible benefit to the urban poor as well as sorting out the problems being faced by the beneficiaries under the ‘Shehri Awaas Yojna’. He also said that those beneficiaries who live in the ‘Kuchcha Houses’ and under the Lal Dora (Red Line) area and who don’t have any proof of permanent residence, can now produce/submit the copy of tax assessment and in case this is not available any document out of the electricity bill/sewerage bill/water bill after verification by the councilor can be submitted for availing the benefits entailed under the scheme.The Joint Commissioners/E.O.s concerned have been empowered in this regard to provide the benefits to the beneficiaries. Earlier, it was mandatory to furnish proof of permanent residence.The minister also added that this decision would benefit 30000 beneficiaries who have applied earlier. For those who haven’t yet applied, the State Government has decided to go in for conducting a new survey starting from the 15th February so as to ensure that the benefit accrues to maximum number of poor families. He further said that those otherwise eligible under the scheme but couldn’t apply owing to the absence of permanent residence proof, can now apply after this relief.Mr. Sidhu also divulged that directions have been given to the department to constitute help desks in every Municipal Corporation, Municipal Council and Panchayat to make sure that assistance is provided to the beneficiaries while uploading their applications online. He further disclosed that all the local bodies would verify the applications within the timeframe of 1 week and prepare project reports which must be submitted timely to the Local Government Department.