Panchayat grants life' to 100 houses in Idukki

Kochi: Vandiperiyar grama panchayat in Idukki has set an example for others to emulate by completing work on over 100 incomplete houses in the first phase of the Life Mission project of the State Government ahead of time. The major beneficiaries of this initiative are farmers and plantation workers in the panchayat.

Vandiperiyar is 18 kilometers away from the tourist spot of Thekkady. There were 67 incomplete houses under Indira Awaz Yojana scheme and 39 houses under EMS housing scheme in the panchayat. Most of the beneficiaries under these projects had stopped the construction half way either due to health issues or due to financial constraints. It is there that the Life Mission Project intervened.

It started with a meeting of all the beneficiaries on Dec 17, 2017 under the supervision of the panchayat president Shanthi Haridas.  Later under the supervision of the ward member, a ward-level action committee meeting was conducted. For those who were not able to take up the construction works on their own, special attention was given by the ward member, ward action committee member, members of various political parties, CDS/ADS members and social workers. Masons too were actively involved. Local businessmen were prodded to provide all the support for the completion of all the houses on time.

NREGS workers also came up with support. The panchayat president monitored the progress. Those who did not start constructions were warned of snapping further governmental aid to them which instantly worked. Continuous review meetings were conducted by the project director of Life Mission, Mr. Muhammed Jha, district mission coordinator Mr. Praveen and district coordinator of Shuchitwa Mission Mr. Shaju.  The key handing over of all the houses was held at the town hall of Vandiperiyar on March 4 by Minister for Electricity, M. M. Mani.