THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, on Thursday, reiterated that the LDF government will never scrap development projects just because a section of people raked up controversies and raised baseless allegations. He was announcing the completion of 2.5 lakh houses as part of the Life Mission programme.
“This government will not be scared by malicious campaigns and allegations against programmes that are designed to bring solace to the people. We will never dump such projects fearing baseless allegations. Life Mission is an unparalleled initiative aimed at providing housing for the homeless. It has evolved as part of the government’s convictions on development. No similar project of this scale has come up anywhere in the country,” he said, while declaring the completion of 2.5 lakh home units.
The government gave top priority to phase-III activities of Life Mission. Land was identified for 85 more housing complexes. Of the lot, work is progressing at 52 locations. Five housing complexes will be finished in two months and 32 complexes will be ready by May, he said.
“Safe and strong houses are built under Life Mission. Attempts are made, with the support of local bodies, to generate employment opportunities at the local level. The objective of Life Mission is to provide the poor an opportunity to live with dignity,” he said.
A housing complex for 2,017 families was handed over to beneficiaries in Adimali. A complex for 12 families was also handed over. Apart from this, hundreds and thousands of people got houses with the support of local bodies, he added.
“A voluntary organization named UAE Red Crescent is building 140 flats in Wadakkancherry along with a primary health centre. Though the government wanted to hand over houses here, those who wanted to derail the project created unnecessary controversies. They are trying to defame the state and undermine its people-friendly programmes,” he said.
Later, the chief minister attended the housing warming of Sasidharan-Prabha couple who got a house under the Life Mission at Pappad near Vattiyoorkavu. A daily-wage worker Sasidharan built his house with the help of four lakh rupees the family got under Life Mission. The CM gave them a gift and left the house after spending a few minutes there.