Bengaluru: The state government will begin building 840 houses for the victims of the Kodagu landslides and floods in and around Madikeri from Friday.
Speaking to reporters here on Thursday, Kodagu in-charge Minister, Sa Ra Mahesh said Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy would lay the foundation for the Rs 82.74 crore project, which would be executed by the Karnataka State Habitat Centre. Each two bedroom house would cost Rs 9.85 lakh to build.
The Minister revealed that at least 26 people had opted not to take the houses built at the locales chosen by the government and instead build their own houses on their properties. Some wanted the government to build houses for them on their land. “The district administration has taken affidavits from them and those who want to build their own houses will be given a cheque for Rs 9.85 lakh. The government will build houses for the others on their properties as requested,” Mr Mahesh added.
Asked if the government was working with the Infosys Foundation, he said, “I read in the media that Mrs Sudha Murthy (of the foundation) wanted to construct the houses and hand them over to the government. They are free to build any number of houses and hand them over to the beneficiaries.”
Speaking to reporters later, Mr Kumaraswamy admitted the government had not yet made use of the funds collected under the CM’s Kodagu Relief Fund and the Rs 540 crore released by the Centre.
“The money will be used at the right time to make sure it directly reaches the victims,” he assured.
