The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : YSR unveils housing scheme for urban poor

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jan 10, 2005

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

YSR unveils housing scheme for urban poor

By Our Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD, JAN. 9. The Chief Minister, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, today launched yet another mass contact programme — Rajiv nagara bata — aimed at resolving the problems of the urban poor and declaring open for them a housing scheme from his favourite launch pad, Chevella Assembly constituency, in Ranga Reddy district today

The whistle-stop tour on the main thoroughfares and narrow localities saw Dr. Reddy addressing people at 15 points in the Rajendranagar Municipality. Starting with the 1,600 km-long "praja prasthanam'' padayatra before the elections, this is the fifth programme Dr. Reddy has launched from the Chevella Assembly constituency.

The programme also coincided with the unveiling of the "Rajiv gruha kalpa' scheme which envisages construction of houses to the urban poor with 10 per cent contribution of the beneficiaries and 90 per cent bank loan repayable in easy instalments of Rs. 500 a month over 20 years. The programme will be initially implemented in the State capital and 12 municipalities of Ranga Reddy district and extended to other municipalities gradually.

State's role

Dr. Reddy announced that the Government's role in the scheme would be limited to providing land of the value of Rs. 25,000 for each dwelling and creating basic infrastructure like drinking water, street lighting and drainage facilities. The Government proposed to construct one lakh houses in the city and Ranga Reddy district.

Four-storeyed buildings would come up on each plot. The Government would ensure that the banks released Rs. 5,000 to 6,000 when the construction began, he said adding that the registrations would be made straightaway. The beneficiaries have to pay Rs. 1,000 at the time of registration.

While touring in localities dominated by minorities, Dr. Reddy announced that the five per cent reservation for them in education and employment would be implemented in a couple of months after overcoming court hurdles.

Meet with officials

Dr. Reddy held a meeting with officials at the National Institute of Rural Development (NIRD) to explain the features of "nagara bata'' before taking to the road. He told them that it was aimed at assessing the conditions and deficiencies in towns and explore ways to fill the gaps.

A large number of vehicles followed Dr. Reddy's bus. The Mines and Geology Minister, Sabita Indra Reddy, Municipal Administration Minister, K. Ranga Rao, Major Irrigation Minister, Ponnala Laxmaiah, and the Hyderabad MP, Asaduddin Owaisi were present.

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