Indian Housing Scheme Second Phase :

Jaffna district allocated 8,700 houses

The second phase of Indian Housing Scheme commenced recently under the patronage of Presidential Advisor and Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa in Eluthumattuwal Village, Jaffna on October 2, where initially, 30 housing beneficiaries were presented with the housing ownership licenses.

The Indian Housing Scheme comprises 50,000 housing units for those whose houses were destroyed during the period of war.

Under the second phase of this housing scheme, 8,700 houses have been allocated to the Jaffna district. The first phase of the 'Owner Driven' modality of construction was launched in the Chavakachcheri, Maruthankerni and Tellipalai Divisional Secretariat divisions, each recipient were granted Rs. 550,000 for each housing unit.

Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development Minister Douglas Devananda said a long awaited expectation had been realized and thanked President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Minister Basil Rajapaksa and Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Ashok K Kantha.

Minister Devananda said the housing scheme was consequent to a discussion the President had with the Indian government. He said the houses would be given as early as possible to the most deserving, especially, to those whose houses were destroyed by the war and to the poorest of the poor.

A public market constructed at a cost of Rs.five million was also opened at Eluthumattuwal.

Industry and Commerce Minister Risath Bathiutdeen, Jaffna district Member of Parliament and Deputy Chairman of the Committees of Parliament Murugesu Chandrakumar ,Jaffna Mayor Yogeswari Pathkunarajah, Jaffna Government Agent Sundaram Arumainayagam and several others partici pated.