Thursday, October 28, 2010

INDIA: “Rise in cement, steel prices will not hit housing scheme beneficiaries”

The rising prices of cement and steel in the open market will not affect beneficiaries of the Kalaignar Housing Scheme, Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi said on Tuesday.

Pointing out that the scheme was being implemented in all 12,618 village panchayats simultaneously with each dwelling unit of 207 sq. ft, Mr. Karunanidhi, in a statement, said that the government was providing cement and steel at nominal cost to the beneficiaries through village panchayats.

Sixty bags of cement at Rs.210 a bag were being given. Steel — 155 kg for each house — was being supplied at an average rate of Rs.36 a kg.

Besides, District Collectors were taking steps for the supply of bricks at a reasonable rate by holding negotiations with owners of brick kilns. Efforts were on to provide other construction materials, including sand at rates determined by the government or less than market rate.

Training was being given to construction workers and financial assistance to women self-help groups through the Tamil Nadu Corporation for the Development of Women.

Deputy Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, who conducted a recent trip to the Tiruvannamalai district, informed him that two lakh houses would be completed by December-end and the entire number of three lakh houses by January, the Chief Minister said, giving an account of various welfare measures taken by him over the years in the area of low cost housing for vulnerable sections of society.

No comments: