The correct answer is: a) Affordable housing in rural areas.
The Sikkim Garib Awas Yojana (SGRY) is a centrally sponsored scheme launched by the Government of India in 2001 to provide affordable housing to the poor in rural areas. The scheme is implemented by the Ministry of Rural Development and is funded by the central and state governments.
The SGRY aims to provide financial assistance to eligible households to construct or improve their houses. The assistance is provided in the form of a grant and a loan. The grant component is used to cover the cost of construction materials, while the loan component is used to cover the cost of labor and other expenses.
The SGRY is a demand-driven scheme, which means that the beneficiaries are required to apply for the assistance. The applications are processed by the gram panchayats (village councils) and the district rural development agencies (DRDAs). The beneficiaries are selected on the basis of their income and assets.
The SGRY has been successful in providing affordable housing to the poor in rural areas. The scheme has helped to improve the living conditions of the beneficiaries and has also contributed to the development of the rural economy.
The other options are incorrect because:
- Option b) Microfinance for small businesses is not the aim of the SGRY. The SGRY is a housing scheme, not a microfinance scheme.
- Option c) Free education for underprivileged children is not the aim of the SGRY. The SGRY is a housing scheme, not an education scheme.
- Option d) Subsidized food grains is not the aim of the SGRY. The SGRY is a housing scheme, not a food subsidy scheme.