THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The lives of 1,25,319 families that started the construction of houses under the LIFE Mission Kerala Housing Scheme are in crisis due to lack of money. The government is not able to say when the miserable condition of these people, who are sleeping in temporary sheds and under tarpaulins, will end. This group includes the elderly, those suffering from chronic diseases, and the disabled. When asking for money, the local bodies are turning their head.

The latest victim is lottery salesman Gopi (70), a resident of Omallur Pallam, who committed suicide the other day. He was in agony as his ailing wife had no home to rest in. Gopi had set himself on fire on the roadside.

Each house is standing like a skeleton. Some have only a basement, while others barely have a wall up to the lintel. There are also houses that can be completed once the final instalment is received. There is a strong allegation that they are showing cruelty by not giving money to organize the inauguration of all houses together when the elections are approaching. Life Mission's position is that there is no obstacle in paying the government share as it has taken a loan from HUDCO. The general category is supposed to get Rs.4 lakh and SC and ST category is supposed to get Rs.6 lakh.

No money in own fund

Local authorities are giving different reasons to those asking for money. One reply that there is no money in own fund. Another is that the government share is yet to come. The reply that the central share did not come can also be heard. All these three should be allowed by the state government.

Kerala's 2.5 lakh and Centre's 1.5 lakh

LIFE and the central housing scheme, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), are being implemented in an integrated manner.
In cities Rs.2 lakh is provided by the local body, Rs.1.5 lakh by the center and Rs.50,000 by the state. In panchayats, the central share is Rs.72000. Four lakhs is given here also.
The shortfall will be paid by the state government and the local bodies. If the local bodies are short of own funds, the government will sanction loans from KURDFC. This will be deducted from own funds.

4 lakhs in 4 installments

40,000 on contract
After completing the basement........1.6 lakhs
Once the lintel is completed..........1 lakh
After the roof............1 lakh

3.56 lakh houses have become a reality

3,56,108 houses have been completed since 2017.
3,25,000 people have applied and are waiting.

Trying to sabotage plans: Chief Minister

KOTTAYAM: The Chief Minister said that more houses will be built and given through the LIFE scheme. About four lakh houses have been completed. The government is not satisfied with this alone. As part of the 'Manasu Kondithiri Mannu' project, several plots have been acquired. However, a special kind of evil-minded people are trying to sabotage the finest plans. Despite various investigation agencies flying around, nothing happened, Chief Minister said.