5 lakh houses ready for distribution, mass house-warming in September second week

Vijayawada: Around 5 lakh houses, of the total 15 lakh in the first phase of the Navaratnalu-Pedalandariki Illu scheme of the state government are ready for occupation, with Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy set to conduct a mass house-warming event in September second week.

Sources said that the Chief Minister has called for top priority to be given to the project, as the houses will be registered in women’s names to boost their family status and provide security. The mass inaugural in Jagananna colonies will be a record, they said.

A total of 30 lakh houses, 15 lakh each in two phases, will be distributed as part of the event.

Jagan Mohan Reddy said that Rs 15,810 crore would be spent this year on YSRC government’s flagship housing programme, refuting allegations of Telugu Desam. Apart from providing immovable property to 31 lakh families, houses were also being built for them by the government, he pointed out.

Infrastructure, such as wide roads, underground drainage, underground power cables, drinking water and Internet, were being provided, he said.

Ajay Jain, special chief secretary (housing), said that against a target to complete 5 lakh houses by August-end, the AP state housing department completed 5,00,653 houses. He said that officials and the staff of the housing department were on their toes to achieve the target with the coordination of other government departments.

Explaining the process behind completing the houses across 26 districts, Ajay Jain said he guided and motivated officials from time to time to achieve targets. He appointed senior officers and special officers to make regular ground visits, and resolve any issue, to ensure timely completion. He also reviewed the progress with district-level officials.

Lakshmisha, managing director of AP Housing Corporation, organised the review meetings with district officials, giving instructions to reach the targets.

Other officials involved in the works were special secretary (housing) Diwan Mydeen and joint MD of housing corporation M. Shiva Prasad, both of whom visited layouts and instructed officials in Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, Nellore and Bapatla districts.

Housing minister Jogi Ramesh congratulated all the officials and staff on achieving the target of completing 5 lakh houses. He also appealed to the officials and staff to work hard and complete the remaining houses at the earliest. Ajay Jain also congratulated the officials and staff and praised their performances.

According to the housing department, the highest number of houses were completed in Chittoor district, at 42,478, followed by 36,090 in Vizianagaram district, 32,413 in Srikakulam and 28,483 in YSR Kadapa district.