Kerala govt to build 1,000 sq ft houses for landslide victims in Wayanad
The project is expected to be approved at the next cabinet meeting on December 26.
The project is expected to be approved at the next cabinet meeting on December 26.
The project is expected to be approved at the next cabinet meeting on December 26.
Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Government has decided to build houses with an area of 1,000 square feet each to rehabilitate residents of Mundakai and Chooralmala areas in Wayanad who lost theirs in the landslides earlier this year.
A special cabinet convened by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday discussed a draft of the project presented by Chief Secretary Sarada Muraleedharan. The project is expected to be approved at the next cabinet meeting on December 26.
Highlights of the rehabilitation project
The government’s rehabilitation package for the landslide victims proposes to develop two townships in a single phase at a total cost of Rs 750 crore. Each house will have an area of 1,000 square feet. Houses will be single as well as double-storeyed.
KIIFB (Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board) has prepared a few designs for the houses, and the final selection will take place soon. The number of homes to be constructed will also be decided at the upcoming cabinet meeting.
The houses will be built with the support of sponsors, and the chief minister will personally conduct talks with them, including party members and industrialists.
Additionally, the government will constitute a special committee to oversee the implementation of the rehabilitation project.
Land acquisition procedures to build the townships will be speeded up, and the government will complete the process as soon as the court issues its order on the matter.
Minister’s warning
Meanwhile, Revenue Minister K Rajan warned officials of strict action if they are found to have had a role in the appearance of errors in the list of beneficiaries of the rehabilitation package, such as repetitions and incorrect data.“The District Collector has been directed to file a report on this issue,” he said.
The minister added that nobody affected by the landslide in Wayanad would be left out of the government’s package. “Similarly, no ineligible person will be included in the list of beneficiaries. Currently, only a draft list has been prepared. The final list will be ready in January 2025,” Rajan told media in Thrissur.