The State government will ensure the timely completion of 140 more houses at the Santhi Nagar Model Village as part of rehabilitation of slum dwellers, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy has said.
He was speaking after handing over keys to the 218 houses constructed under the project at West Hill here on Sunday.
Mr. Chandy said steps would also be taken to set up a model anganwadi at Santhi Nagar model village. A sum of Rs.25 lakh would be allocated for the project proposed by Minister for Panchayats and Social Welfare M.K. Muneer.
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Mr. Chandy said the government had already accorded sanction for 140 model anganwadis across the State. “The new one at Santhi Nagar will be set up with all facilities after identifying suitable land in the area,” he said.
Lauding the efforts taken by the Revenue Department staff and people’s representatives for the fast completion of the first phase of the project at Santhi Nagar, the Chief Minister said it would truly be an inspiration for the government to look for similar initiatives. “The residents should also lead a model life taking advantage of the amenities provided by the government,” he said.
Delivering the presidential address, Finance Minister K.M. Mani said the government would construct three lakh new houses for the homeless across the State. “Also, steps will be taken to strengthen the Kerala State Housing Board,” he said.
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Mr. Mani said the State government had already taken several welfare measures to address the concerns of the homeless. “Sayoojya is one of such recent initiatives of the government to care for the urban poor,” he added.
Dr. Muneer, Fisheries Minister K. Babu, M.K. Raghavan, MP, and A. Pradeepkumar, MLA, were present at the function. Housing Board chairman Arakkal Balakrishna Pillai welcomed the gathering and Additional District Magistrate K.P. Ramadevi proposed a vote of thanks.