The Hindu       24.11.2010

Housing scheme to be extended to town panchayats

CHENNAI: The government has proposed to extend Kalaignar Housing Scheme to all town panchayats in the State.

The decision was taken at a review meeting held at the old Secretariat on Tuesday.

An official release stated that the government would enumerate the number of huts in town panchayats and distribute identity cards to hutment dwellers. Those living in hilly regions such as Kodaikanal and Udhagamandalam would also be included in the scheme.

Under the scheme, 21 lakh huts in rural areas will be replaced with concrete houses over a period of six years. In the first phase, during the current financial year three lakh huts will be replaced with concrete houses with a grant of Rs.75,000 each. The work is expected to be completed by January next year.