Helpline for housing beneficiaries

Urban Development Minister U T Khader said that the government will set up a toll-free helpline — Spandana — for the beneficiaries of Rajiv Gandhi Housing Corporation from September 1.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, the minister said beneficiaries have several confusions. The toll-free helpline will help the beneficiaries to clarify their doubts and also seek help while constructing houses, he added.

The government is also embarking on setting out bylaws for the construction of houses and other establishments in the hilly ranges after the tragedy in Kodagu. There is a need for some regulations besides precautionary measures to the save the human lives and also lessen the destruction. The implications of the unscientific construction of the houses and other structures have ended in tragedy. The rainwater had no space to flow due to blocks created following increased human habitat in the area, he explained.

The government is into the assessment of the losses incurred in the flood- and landslide-ravaged Kodagu. Once the assessment is done, the chief minister will meet the prime minister and put forth the demand for grants, he said.

Khader said BJP could have approached the deputy commissioner or police and lodged a complaint if there was rampant corruption in the CMC. It is all baseless propaganda to lure voters, he claimed.

He said the Congress will win the CMC election due to the development programmes were taken up by the Congress-led administration. Six hundred houses are being constructed in the CMC jurisdiction and the work is lagging behind due to some technical problems which will be solved at the earliest, he said.

Khader said Congress will support JD(S) and the coalition government will complete the five-year term uninterrupted. The coordination committee head and former chief minister Siddaramaiah will lend his expert advice and suggestions.

There are no differences between the coalition partners, he reiterated.