Date:23/09/2004 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2004/09/23/stories/2004092302251700.htm

Back Nabard approves Rs 1 cr to NGO for rural housing project

A.J. Vinayak

Mangalore , Sept. 22

AN NGO in Dakshina Kannada district has taken up a pilot project of Nabard to construct low-cost quality houses for the rural poor.

Nabard has sanctioned Rs 1 crore to Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala Rural Development Project (SKDRDP) under the `Rural Habitat Programme' in this regard.

The Executive Director of SKDRDP, Dr L.H. Manjunath, told Business Line that SKDRDP, which has set up a separate housing division for this purpose, plans to construct around 100 houses under the pilot project. Terming it as a novel project aimed at helping the poor in rural areas, he said that each house - measuring 400-500 sq ft - could be built at a cost of around Rs 1 lakh.

Quoting studies on rural housing, he said that there was potential for the construction of 16 crore houses in rural India.

SKDRDP has already constructed a model RCC house, measuring 438 sq ft, at Belthangady in Dakshina Kannada district. An amount of Rs 1.07 lakh has been spent on this house.

Under the programme, financial assistance will be given to farmers with small and marginal holdings who lack `pucca' houses.

The amount sanctioned by Nabard will be refinanced through SKDRDP to the beneficiaries, who will have to repay around Rs 350 a week in 520 instalments.

Experts are working on minimising the cost of construction. Use of pre-cast slabs and mud bricks are being considered for this purpose.

Dr Manjunath said that construction work is likely to begin in October.

There are plans to extend the programme in the country based on its success in the Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts of coastal Karnataka, he added.