TN extends period for free house site 'pattas'

Chennai, Oct 1 (UNI) The Tamil Nadu government today extended by a year, the distribution of free house site 'pattas' to those who had built houses in government 'poromboke' lands and living there for more than five years.

Chief Minister M Karunanidhi ordered that the scheme, which came to an end today, be extened till September 30, 2009 for the benefit of people living in municipality and corporation areas, an official release here said.

The government initially issued free 'pattas' to those who were living in government lands for more than 10 years, provided the government did not require those lands.

Later, the government reduced the number of years to five and lifted the income ceiling for availing free house site 'pattas,' benefitting large number of people.

As encroachments in government lands in municipality and Corporation areas were yet to be streamlined, the government has decided to extend the deadline, the release said.

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