Katta’s Target: 2 Lac Houses & 2 Lac Sites by April ‘11

From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore

Bangalore, June 9: The B S Yeddyurappa-led BJP Government may have failed in delivering on its promise to construct 64,000 houses for the rehabilitation of the people who lost their houses due to last year’s devastating floods in as many as 15 districts of north Karnataka and no less a minister than Health Minister B Sriramulu, who belongs to the powerful camp of Bellary mining Reddy brothers, had publicly apologized for the failure in keeping up the promise in building houses under the Asare Scheme.

But yet another influential minister holding the Housing portfolio, Katta Subramanya Naidu, had held out yet another more ambitious promise:  A target of providing two lac houses and as many housing sites to the poor across the state by April next.

Addressing presspersons here, Naidu, who held a meeting with officials of the Rajiv Gandhi Housing Corporation and Housing Department, has fixed a deadline of August one to commence work on these twin projects.

Of the 4.5 lac houses planned to be built by the Government to free the state from hutments in the next three years, about 1.5 lac houses would be completed in the first phase by April next in rural areas, he said.

A total of 50,000 houses would be also constructed in urban areas under ‘Vajpayee Housing Scheme’ and two lac sites distributed. A sum of Rs. 54 crore had already been release for the purpose, he said.

Around 1,500 villages have no hutment dwellers, according to a recent survey, he said pointing out that the government has entrusted survey work to a private agency for reconfirmation of the estimates.

The government was considering three types of houses -- Bhagya, Sampada and Yashas -- in cities for the benefit of the homeless and the project would be taken up on the basis of demand.

A total of 11,250 acres would be required to take up the housing scheme and the farmers, who will be losing lands would be paid compensation as per the guidance value, he said.

The cost of each unit would be in the range of Rs 3.65 lac to Rs 4.90 lac. The scheme targets customers such as autorikshaw drivers, fruit and vegetable vendors and beedi workers.

It was decided to build model houses at Singanayanakahalli near Yelahanka. About 250 acres would be acquired in different parts of the City to the project, he said.

The Bhagya housing scheme will have a house on a 325 sq ft built up area with one bedroom, Sampada on 375 sq ft with a bedroom and a study room and Yashas on a 450 sq ft area with two bedrooms.

The construction of one lakh houses has been proposed under this scheme, the minister disclosed.

A high power committee would hold meeting and review the progress in each month. ``If the scheme was successful, the Centre government would grant Rs 50,000 for construction of each house,‘’ he added.