HUBBALLI: The Slum Development Board will distribute a total of 42,346 houses across the state, including Hubballi, at a significant ceremony on November 29, led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, as announced by Housing Minister BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan.
Minister Khan informed reporters on Sunday that a large venue has been selected for the grand event, covering an area of 17-18 acres, capable of accommodating approximately 150,000 attendees. He highlighted that while previous CM Siddaramaiah approved the construction of 180,000 houses through the Slum Board and an additional 47,863 under the Rajiv Gandhi Housing Scheme, the government faced hurdles during the tenures of former CMs Kumaraswamy and BS Yediyurappa, who did not complete any houses.
Currently, the cost of building a single house is around Rs 7.5 lakh. The central government contributes Rs 1.5 lakh under the PM Awas Yojana, while beneficiaries also face an 18% GST, resulting in a net loss of Rs 1.3 lakh. Meanwhile, the state government provides Rs 1.5 lakh for general public housing and Rs 2 lakh for SC/ST beneficiaries. Although beneficiaries were supposed to pay up to Rs 4 lakh, this is unaffordable for many poor families. In response, CM Siddaramaiah has decided that the state government will cover the beneficiary contributions to support those in need. The total investment for constructing the 2.3 lakh houses will be Rs 9,500 crore, which the government has committed to fund.
Zameer also dismissed claims of an internal crisis within the Congress party, stating that such tensions exist only within the BJP, which is divided into five groups. He emphasized that CM Siddaramaiah will serve his full term and that any cabinet changes would be handled by the high command.
No minister or MLA has proposed banning the RSS, according to Khan, who affirmed that no such resolution has been submitted to the Chief Minister.
