Kerala State Housing Board Chairman Arackal Balakrishna Pillai has stated that the Board is now firmly on a path of rebuilding its reputation and reshaping destiny. Next financial year, the Board’s plan is to go in a big way promoting affordable housing in the loan buckets of Rs 4 lakh, Rs 5 lakh and Rs 6 lakh.
Pillai is confident this year would see the ‘resurrection’ of the public sector company in the fullest sense of the term. Economically weaker sections and people below poverty line (BPL) have been the staple choice of beneficiaries of a range of Board schemes right from inception, he added.
The Saphalyam scheme in various panchayats in the State provides residential flats to the poor. The objective of the Government is to provide 10,000 houses within a year. The aim is to construct houses for more than seven lakh people who do not have proper shelter. The market value of land has appreciated significantly in recent times burdening those who are financially weak but aspire to buy small plots. The Saphalyam scheme would enable such persons to own flats.
These units of Rs 3.5 lakh each will come up in three-storied complexes with each unit approximately 195 sq. ft with the super-built-up area being 240 sq. ft. Rs 2 lakh would come in the form of subsidy; Rs 1 lakh in Hudco loan; Rs 25,000 from a voluntary donor (of whom many have come forward); and only Rs 25,000 from the beneficiary.
But the beneficiary can pay up this small amount in as extended a period as 168 months. There is the Sayoojyam scheme for plot development addressed to the low income group as well as people below poverty line.
The flats are slated to come up in 10 panchayats in Kottayam, Kollam, Idukki, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Palakkad and Thrissur districts. Another innovative scheme is the Santhwanam scheme for those who accompany patients to medical colleges. The first one has been proposed at Kozhikode.
No less innovative is the Sanketham scheme offering a roof over the heads of migrant labourers servicing the urban areas. These have been proposed at Poojappura, Thrissur and Kozhikode. These charge monthly rent as low as Rs 600, besides electricity and water charges.
The Board is also going ahead with its project to build three hostels for women at Kattappana; at Muttam, near Thodupuzha; and at Kozhikode, near the Medical College. The hostels will come up on the Board’s own land.
It also has plans to build units for government employees. The Rent-a-House scheme envisages construction of 12 units each at Kasargod and Devikulam.
The Board is also in the process of developing houses for rehabilitating slums dwellers. It had also come up with a debt write-off scheme during the current year, benefiting 33,384 poor people amounting to Rs 137.47 crore. It backed this up with a one-time-settlement scheme, which is valid until March 31.
Next financial year, the Board’s plan is to go in a big way promoting affordable housing in the loan buckets of Rs 4 lakh, Rs 5 lakh and Rs 6 lakh. Pillai is confident this year would see the ‘resurrection’ of the public sector company in the fullest sense of the term.