Setting October 2016 as deadline, Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal on Tuesday gave his in-principal approval to construct one lakh houses for the economically weaker sections (EWS) at affordable prices.
For the purpose, Sukhbir issued directions to the concerned departments to identify land in towns and cities at the earliest to complete the “mega welfare project” in stipulated time.
In a meeting regarding EWS housing, Sukhbir informed that Punjab Government has planned the project to provide reasonably priced houses to all by 2022 and the first phase of this project would be completed till October 2016 by providing residential accommodation to one lakh people living under BPl norms.
He added that these houses would be provided at 10 per cent of its total construction cost and would have all basic amenities. Making the project common for both EWS populace residing in rural and urban areas, Sukhbir issued instructions to the concerned departments to identify land for the project in mandis and towns besides exploring prospects of building affordable houses in the villages also. He suggested that these houses must have backyard to meet the requirements of rural population.
Under ‘houses for all’ project, Sukhbir has instructed Rural Development and Panchayats, Housing and labour departments to provide 50,000, 25,000 and 25,000 houses respectively in the urban as well as rural areas.