Punjab govt to have new housing policy for poorer sections

Chandigarh, Apr 17 (UNI) Taking into account the rising construction costs and land prices, the Punjab government would evolve a new housing policy to cater to the common man and people living below poverty line (BPL).

Directions in this context were given by Cooperatives Minister Capt Kanwaljit Singh while presiding over a meeting of the Punjab State Federation of Cooperative House Building Societies Limited (Housefed) here today.

He said that the main purpose of Housefed was to serve the rural and deprived sections of the society. The Punjab Government was fully committed to provide roofs for the weaker sections and a pilot project would soon be taken up by Housefed during the fiscal year, he added.

It has also been decided in the meeting that a cooperative colony should be constructed for the weaker sections and thereafter on the success of this project, more such colonies would be taken up for construction.

The Minister directed that Housefed should chalk out plans to acquire or purchase land for low cost housing projects. He also directed the officials to identify the areas where cooperative colonies could be constructed.

The Minister while reviewing the progress of schemes asked the officers to sanction and disburse loans within two weeks of filing of cases.

During the current financial year a target to finance nearly 6000 houses at a cost of Rs 120 crore has been fixed by Housefed.

Emphasis would be laid on computerisation of Housefed offices.

Giving details of the achievements of the cooperative, Mr R K Ganta, Additional Registrar Co-operative Societies said that there are 344 cooperative societies in the state and Rs 4350.91 crore have been advanced to its members for constructions of 2176 houses during the last fiscal year.

UNI