Puducherry to come out with comprehensive housing subsidy scheme: V Narayanasamy

He said that government intended to ensure that Puducherry emerged a 'hut free Union Territory in the next few years'

The government will soon come out with a comprehensive housing subsidy scheme to realise the goal of 'hutfree Puducherry', Chief Minister V Narayanasamy said on Thursday.

A survey is being launched today to identify families requiring housing facilities under this scheme, he said, replying to a question tabled by Vayyapuri Manikandan (AIADMK) in the Assembly.

He said a detailed project report would be submitted to the Centre to obtain grants under 'Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana' which would integrate all state government operated housing subsidy schemes.

Narayanasamy said he had already met Union Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu in this regard.

The Union Minister expressed interest in assisting the government in construction of 5,000 houses under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana in Puducherry.

Manikandan, who tabled the main question on delay in availability of funds under 'Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Housing scheme', operated by Puducherry government through Slum Clearance Board, said beneficiaries of administration's housing subsidy scheme were awaiting sanction of funds and wanted hike in the subsidy in view of escalation of cost in construction materials.

Chief Minister said a comprehensive programme was being finalised and would be operated with the assistance from the Centre under 'Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.'

He said government intended to ensure that Puducherry emerged a "hut free Union Territory in the next few years".

During zero hour, DMK member R Siva alleged that some banks in Puducherry were resorting to intimidating tactics to recover education loans and wanted the chief minister to hold talks with Lead Bank authorities here and protect students.

Replying to the member's allegation, the chief minister said he would hold a meeting with bank officials and also Lead Bank managers to ensure that the students and their parents do not face any hardships.

KAU Asana (AIADMK) said Karaikal was pounded by around 4 cm rain on Wednesday, inundating streets. This could have been prevented if the drains were desilted, he said.