The Chhattisgarh Housing Board (CHB) which is currently holding its three-day 'Awas Mela' (Housing Fair) after being inaugurated by Chief Minister Raman Singh on Tuesday night at BTI ground will now have an 'Awas Diwas' (Housing Day) observed annually in the State.
Singh while inaugurating the fair officially declared to observe 'Awas Diwas' in Chhattisgarh every year on February 12 which is the founding day of the Chhattisgarh Housing Board.
The Board, during its 10-year development journey, has done praiseworthy work of providing good quality houses on concessional rates to the poor, the low income and the middle-income group families of the State, he said.
Singh said that the CHB has earned the trust of people. The institution started with a capital of 5.30 crore, now has a yearly turnover of about `730 crore. A target is set to reach the turnover `1000 crore by next year. The Board has constructed about 85,000 good quality houses under various schemes for the poor and medium class families.
The Chief Minister on the occasion, released a coffee table book and calendar based on the schemes of the Housing Board and brochures on Sejbahar and Shankar Nagar schemes.
The Chief Minister said that the dream of housing revolution in the State was being fulfilled through the Housing Board.
The Board has, on the completion of 10 years of its establishment, made a programme to hold 'Awas Melas' at different districts, including the State capital. Awas Mela has already been organised in Korba, Jagadalpur, Bilaspur and Raigarh districts, whereas, in Rajnandgaon it will be organised on March 1.
Chhattisgarh Assembly speaker Gaurishankar Agrawal, while presiding over the function, said that the Housing Board has become the top institution in the State that provides housing facilities to the people of Chhattisgarh.
Special guests MP Ramesh Bais and Housing and Environment Minister Rajesh Munat also expressed their views. All the speakers extended greetings to the officers and employees of the Board on the establishment day of the Board. Chhattisgarh Housing Board Commissioner Sonmani Borah presented the report of works being done by the institution for the implementation of different housing schemes of the State government.
MlA Srichand Sundarani, former chairman of the Chhattisgarh Housing Board Subhash Rao and citizens in large number were present at the function.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister Raman Singh at the function felicitated musician Bappi lahiri. He also gave away registry documents to freehold beneficiaries of the Board and distributed awards to the winners of Emblem and Slogan competitions. later, the Chief Minister and other guests inspected various stalls installed at the Awas Mela.