HDK directs reservation of sites for poor, disabled

Bangalore, Mar 6: Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy today directed the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) and Karnataka Housing Board (KHB) to reserve 20 per cent of its sites and houses for people belonging to the weaker sections of society and ten per cent for the physically challenged.

Speaking at a function organised to distribute houses constructed by KHB in Suryanagar and Bandematt on the outskirts of the city, he regretted that though the State Government wanted to construct and distribute houses for people living below the poverty line fast, the officials were not cooperating. ''Work on providing houses for poor people is not satisfactory. It seems we have tripped in some places.

Officers, in many districts, are yet to identify the land, leave alone the beneficiaries. We are ready to amend the rules, if needed, to speed up work, but officials should come forward with the difficulties they face,'' he added.

The Chief Minister said a Rs 500 crore housing project for poor would be launched soon to provide shelter to 13 lakh people.

Deputy Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, in his address, said the JD(S)-BJP coalition Government in the State was committed to accord priority to solve the housing problem faced by the poor and downtrodden.

Referring to criticism about his statements on the coming budget, he said ''the budget, to be presented on March 16, would put an end to all criticisms as it would satisfy people's aspirations.''

UNI