Karnataka Launches Major Rural Housing Drive in Vijayanagara District
District Minister BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan announced on Thursday that the government has set an ambitious physical target to construct 58,917 houses over the next five years under the Rural Housing Scheme across six talukas in the Hosapete (Vijayanagara) district. This massive initiative is part of a phased implementation plan aimed at addressing housing shortages in rural areas.
Financial Allocation and Past Performance
An estimated Rs 6,048 crore has been earmarked for this comprehensive housing project. Speaking at the district planning committee meeting, Khan revealed that the government spent Rs 191 crore in the previous year to build 11,782 houses, demonstrating a commitment to ongoing development. This expenditure marks a significant step in the phased rollout, setting a precedent for future construction efforts.
Addressing Slum Regularization Concerns
During the meeting, Khan raised critical concerns regarding slum regularization, highlighting that there are 60 slums within the Hosapete municipality limits. Of these, 35 are on government land and 25 on private land. In a decisive move, he directed officials to issue e-khatas to residents of the 35 government slums within one month. He issued a stern warning, stating that failure to comply would make the concerned officials directly responsible for any delays.
Land Distribution Targets for the Landless
In addition to housing, the government has set a target to construct layouts and distribute plots to landless people across Karnataka within one year. According to the 2021 survey, the state has nearly 36 lakh landless individuals. Eligible beneficiaries will receive plots after a systematic process that includes acquiring land from government or private owners, forming layouts, and distributing sites in an organized manner.
Utilizing Available Resources
Khan added that the Rajiv Gandhi Housing Corporation has approximately 24,000 acres of land available. This land will be utilized to develop layouts and allot plots in phases, ensuring a structured approach to land distribution. This resource allocation is expected to significantly boost the state's efforts in providing housing and land to those in need.
Key Attendees at the Meeting
The district planning committee meeting was attended by several prominent officials, including MLAs NT Srinivas, MP Latha Mallikarjun, Krishna Nayak, municipal corporation president N Rupesh Kumar, DC Kavita S Mannikeri, ZP CEO Nongjoy Mohammed Ali Akram Shah, DCF Anupama, and other key stakeholders. Their presence underscores the collaborative effort required to achieve these housing and land distribution goals.
