Chandran, Omana and their young daughter Rohini have been living for years in their leaking one-room house before their names were included in the State government's Livelihood, Inclusion, Financial Empowerment (LIFE) housing scheme. On Saturday, when Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan handed over the keys of their new house at Enikkara, their happiness was representative of two lakh other families in the State who have got houses under the LIFE scheme.
Later, at the Putharikkandam Maidan here, packed with LIFE beneficiaries from across Thiruvananthapuram, Mr. Vijayan made the official declaration of the scheme, saying it was a tribute to the efficiency of LIFE Mission that the number has now increased to 2,14,262 houses.
“In villages and towns across the State, today is a day of celebration for numerous families for whom a house of their own has always been a long-held dream. Today, we saw tears of joy and satisfaction on many eyes,” he said.
On the funds of the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana (PMAY) being used for around 63,000 of these houses, he said the State had contributed a larger share of funds. For the PMAY-LIFE (rural), the Centre had provided ₹75,000 for each beneficiary, while the State pitched in with ₹3.25 lakh. For the PMAY-LIFE (urban), the Centre provided ₹1.5 lakh, while the State contributed ₹2.5 lakh. "But, in our State, we were able to complete the houses because everyone, the rich and the poor from society contributed. There were many who helped in the construction of houses in several areas, offering their labour for free. There is Tamil Nadu native Abdullah, a groundnut seller who has now settled at Kadakkal, who bought a piece of land and contributed it for the LIFE project. It is the unity of this State that has made this milestone possible," said Mr. Vijayan.Mr. Vijayan said that no one will be left out of the project, as those who did not find a place in the list due to technical reasons will be included in the succeeding phases.
