Karnataka Slum Development Board to Hand Over 42,345 Houses on January 24
In a major housing initiative, the Karnataka Slum Development Board (KSDB) will distribute 42,345 newly constructed houses to beneficiaries across the state on January 24. Housing Minister BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan announced this significant event during a press briefing in Hubballi on Saturday.
High-Profile Inauguration Ceremony Planned
The distribution programme will see a grand inauguration ceremony. AICC president and Rajya Sabha opposition leader Mallikarjun Kharge will join Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar to officially launch the event. Organisers expect more than two lakh people to attend this large-scale public function.
This marks the second phase of the KSDB's ambitious housing distribution drive. The board already completed the first phase successfully, distributing 36,789 houses to eligible beneficiaries. For the third phase scheduled for April-May this year, authorities have set a target of distributing 30,000 additional houses.
Political Claims and Counterclaims
Minister Khan made pointed remarks about previous administrations during his announcement. "When the BJP was ruling the state, there was no pressure from guarantee schemes," he claimed. "But still, it did not give a single house to the poor. We are building houses for the poor despite financial strain from guarantee schemes."
The housing minister provided specific data to support his claims. "In 2024, the board allocated 36,000 houses to the beneficiaries," Khan stated. "We have data on the number of houses that we have given to each district. Opposition leader R Ashoka can cross-check this. We are ready to show this to him."
Vision for Shelter and Additional Construction
MLA and KSDB chairman Prasad Abbayya emphasized the board's commitment to providing shelter for the underprivileged. "We are constructing and distributing houses with a vision of providing shelter to the poor," Abbayya explained.
Beyond the KSDB initiative, the state has made progress under other schemes too. Abbayya revealed that authorities have already constructed 860 houses under the Ashraya Yojana, demonstrating multiple approaches to addressing housing needs across Karnataka.
The January 24 event represents a significant milestone in the state's efforts to improve living conditions for economically disadvantaged communities through systematic housing distribution programmes.
