Kerala - Kochi   

Panchayats told to identify the needy

Staff Reporter

Houses built under Lakshamveedu scheme renovated

ALL SMILES: Chief Minister Oommen Chandy interacts with office-bearers of Kudumbasree units at Government High School, Manjapra, near Angamaly, on Saturday. Photo: Vipinchandran

KOCHI: The panchayat should identify people who need Government aid, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy has said.

He was speaking after handing over the keys to 60 people whose houses built under the Lakshamveedu scheme were renovated at Manjapra, near Angamaly, on Saturday. Mr. Chandy lauded the efforts of different agencies and the people for their participation in developing the Manjapra grama panchayat.

Mr. Chandy, who is the first Chief Minister to visit Manjapra, was accorded a rousing reception by the people.

"The Lakshamveedu scheme was the result of a people's campaign for better housing in the 1970s when Indira Gandhi was the Prime Minister,," Mr. Chandy said.

Speaking on the occasion, P.M. John, Housing Commissioner and Secretary, Kerala State Housing Board, said that some of the houses had been damaged over the past 30 years.

The Kerala State Housing Board spent Rs.40,000 to renovate each house. There are 60 such houses in Manjapra and the housing board plans to renovate all 90,000 houses within three-and-a-half years, he said.

Mr. Chandy also inaugurated the anniversary celebrations of the Kudumbasree units and a literacy festival organised by the State Literacy Mission.

The Chief Minister distributed housing loan cheques under the Bhavasree scheme and gave cash awards to toppers of Government High School, Manjapra. P.J. Joy, MLA, said in his presidential address that the housing board had played a key role in building homes for the poor. "Many people who are above the poverty line get the benefits which are due to people who are below the poverty line. The Chief Minister should take note of this and do whatever is possible," he said.

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