India proceeds with construction of 14,000 houses in plantation sector

The Foundation stone for another 50 houses under the Indian Housing Project was laid jointly by the Acting High Commissioner of India Mr. Vinod K. Jacob together with the Minister of Community Empowerment and Estate Infrastructure Development Arumugam Thondaman and the Minister of Plantation and Export Agriculture Ramesh Pathirana at Vellai Oya Estate in Hatton yesterday.

These houses will be built as part of the 14,000 houses committed by India in the plantation areas for estate workers.   

The laying of a foundation stone for the construction of a new auditorium cum multipurpose building at the Thondaman Vocational Training Centre (TVTC), Hatton took place on the same day. The new building is a part of the upgrading of the centre from an assistance grant of Rs.199 million from the Government of India.   

In parallel, the supply of machinery, equipment & tools for the new courses, together with furniture and vehicles for the centre is also being undertaken.   

With the completion of the project, the High Commission of India expects a large number of Sri Lankan youth to be trained as skilled workers with suitable skills catering to the job market. This project is in line with Government of India’s efforts to assist and cooperate with Government of Sri Lanka in the field of vocational training and skills development.   

These projects are in continuation of the Government of India’s people-oriented development cooperation with the Government of Sri Lanka. India’s overall commitment of development assistance to Sri Lanka stands at a total of around US$ 3.5 billion and among this, US$ 560 million comes under grants.