CHOTTANIKKARA: As part of the initiative to provide abodes to people belonging to all sections of society, the State Government has decided to implement ‘Saphalyam Housing Scheme’ at Chottanikkara Panchayat. According to sources, Thiruvali panchayat at Malappuram was replaced by Chottanikkara panchayat as the beneficiary of the project. “Though Thiruvali was selected as one among the eight beneficiaries of the project, the government had to revoke the plan due to the cold response of local body,” they said.
Chottanikkara panchayat president Johnson Thomas said that as many as 54 underprivileged families in the area will be provided with flats under the scheme. “We have already selected the beneficiaries through the Gram Sabhas. As per the project, 320 sq feet of flats will be constructed at Thalakkodu. The flat will have a bedroom, hall, kitchen and toilet.”
“It will be constructed on a budget of Rs 3.5 lakhs. Out of which, the state government will provide Rs 2 lakhs as subsidy and Rs 1 lakh will be provided by the Housing and Urban Development Corporation (Hudco) as housing loan at an interest of 10 percent per annum. The remaining amount will be contributed equally by the beneficiary and the voluntary organization to be selected for the implementation of the project,” Johnson said.
He also said that the project will be completed within six months. “We have set a deadline as we are bent to finish the project in a time-bound manner. Immediate implementation of the project may help us to get such favours from the state government in the future. At a time when land prices are on the rise even in village areas, State government’s welfare projects come as a solace to underprivileged. Anoop Jacob, MLA and Food and Civil Supplies Minster, has helped the local body avail the scheme from the state government,” he added.