Govt to build 14,022 houses in 60 days: State Minister

By Thisari Walawege   

A total of 14,022 houses would be built under the national housing programme “Gamata Geyak- Ratata Hetak” within 60 days, State Minister of Housing Indika Anuruddha said yesterday.   
The state minister told a media briefing that the programme would commence auspiciously on February 01 at Giribawa in Kurunegala under the patronage of Prime Minster Mahinda Rajapaksa.  The programme is to target extremely under-privileged low income families representing all Grama Niladhari Divisions. Each Grama Niladhari Division would be given one house.  According to the state minister, about Rs.8,413.2 million from the treasury has been allocated for this project and it is to be launched by the National Housing Development Authority.   

Furthermore, he said those who were eligible for this programme were chosen according to several valid criteria and it was not being done based on political benefits.   
In addition, he said for each house, a housing aid of 0.6 million would be provided in accordance with the progress made in building the house in five stages.   

The proper planning for the house would be carried out under the guidance of the National Housing Development Authority and each house is to be built in an area of 
550 square feet.   

Each house should be in the least equipped with a kitchen, living room, a bedroom and a toilet.   

State Minister Anuruddha said this project was the initial step of a giant journey to be undertaken by the housing ministry under President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s prosperity vision.