Mysuru: Though 829 people lost their homes due to floods and landslides during the South-West Monsoon in Kodagu in August last year, only 35 houses were handed over to the victims on Friday.
The Zilla Panchayat Bhavan built at a cost of Rs 31 crores was also inaugurated by Rural Development and Panchayatraj Minister K.S. Eshwarappa.
Housing Minister V. Somanna, who handed over the title deeds, said that the houses for the other victims will be handed over by the end of March next year.
According to Kodagu Deputy Commissioner Annies Kanmani Joy, while as many as 417 families had lost their homes completely, 412 houses had suffered partial damage.
The construction of 433 houses has been taken up in the first phase by Rajiv Gandhi Housing Corporation Limited through Karnataka State Habitat Centre at a cost of Rs 9.85 lakh each. While 217 houses are already constructed, the infrastructure work is completed for 35 houses which have been handed over now, she said. She informed that Rs 9.95 lakh has been handed over to 87 beneficiaries who wanted to build houses on their own. IT major Infosys is building 200 houses on the model finalised by the government.
“Our first priority is to provide houses to 417 families who have completely lost their homes. These 417 families are currently living in rented houses with the government providing Rs 10,000 as monthly house rent. Construction of houses for the rest of the victims will be taken up in a short while,” she said.
