K'taka to distribute two lakh houses to poor by December: Minister

Bangalore, Nov 5 (UNI) Karnataka Government would distribute as many as two lakh houses to under Ashraya Scheme by this year end, while another 13 lakh houses would be disbursed by the year 2013, Housing minister S N Krishnaiah Setty said today.

Speaking to newspersons here he said government had issued directions to all Panchayath secretaries to send the list of beneficiaries in their villages by end of this month.

The minister said that the existing system of selecting beneficiaries of Ashraya houses by Panchayath members had delayed the distribution of houses for the poor and there was a growing demand from the legislators to do away the present system.

He said that he would pilot a bill in the next assembly session, empowering Legislators to head the committee which clears the list of beneficiaries of Ashraya houses.

Replying to questions the minister said that state government have plans to distribute 13 lakh more houses for the poor by 2013.

Mr Setty who also holds the Muzarai portfolio said the government would take up rejuvination of about 50 Hindu temples with the financial assistance from Non Resident Indians hailing from the state and living in the US.

The State government also had plans to spend over Rs 180 crore in three phases to improve facilities for the visiting pilgrims at Subramanya temple in Kukke in Daxina Kannada district.

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