Jaipur, February 23. Chief Minister Shri Ashok Gehlot said institution like Rajasthan Housing Board which was formed to fulfil the housing dreams of needy people and was brought to prominence by person such as Late Shri Dwarkadas Purohit, was completely neglected. New houses were being built despite thousands of them lying unsold. He said, “I don’t understand why this happened, but our government worked to strengthen Rajasthan Housing Board once again. Our government will also ensure that the Housing Board is not ignored and at the same time, it is the responsibility of the board’s officers and employees to live up to the faith of people.”
Shri Gehlot on Sunday was addressing Rajasthan Housing Board’s state level Golden Jubilee function at Birla Auditorium. He said generally people do not have good opinion about the quality of houses built by housing board. This opinion has to be changed. Board should ensure that houses they build should be of quality, which will increase the goodwill of board among people.
Good Initiative by Housing Board
Chief Minister said that every person wishes to have his/her own house. Housing board should bring new schemes to fulfil this dream of the common man and should expand the same to other districts. Shri Gehlot said the Housing Board has taken good initiative by making residential and other schemes for Tibetan refugees, craftsmen, guards, teachers, CRPF jawans and other sections of the society.
Work for the Second Phase of Metro Will Start
Chief Minister while mentioning the development works such as Ghat ki Ghuni tunnel, elevated road and JLN Marg, done during his previous tenure to give Jaipur a modern look said, “The work of first phase of Metro is about to complete. We have not forgotten its second phase and we will start this too.” He said the government will take policy decision in which government employees get houses on installment based on the concession.
Swasthya Mitra at Village level
Shri Gehlot said that health is wealth and keeping this in view, the State Government is working on the concept of NIrogi Rajasthan. Swasthya Mitra will be made as social worker at the village level to make aware and inspire people about their health. He called housing board personnel to help in carrying the State Government’s feeling of Nirogi Rajasthan to general public.
Shri Gehlot on this occasion released a booklet ‘Swarnim Mandal’ showcasing housing board’s journey of 50 years. He also laid foundation stone of various new projects and launched new schemes on behalf of Housing Board in Jaipur, Jodhpur, Kota nd other cities in the State. Chief Minister handed over keys of Car and Scooty to lucky draw winners in Swarn Jayanti Uphaar Yojana. He also felicitated housing board officers and employees for their commendable work.
UDH minister Shri Shanti Dhariwal in the function said that during last some time the housing board has got properties worth Rs 1000 crore free from encroachment. Housing board brought amnesty scheme for those who are unable to pay the outstanding lease and other payment due to interest and penalty. He said the housing board has been strengthened under the direction of Chief Minister.
Chief Secretary Shri DB Gupta said Housing Board is an institution which fulfils the housing dream of people who are poor and belong to low income group. Its importance will remain always. He suggested to work with more transparency and to set up Citizen Care Centre.
Housing Board Commissioner Shri Pawan Arora informed that in the last five months board has earned revenue of Rs. 720 crore through auction, collecting lease money etc. He said there were no purchasers for more than 21,000 houses and on the directions of Chief Minister the board succeeded in selling 3,012 houses.
Energy minister Shri BD Kalla, Transport Minister Shri Pratap Singh Khachariyawas, Chief Whip Shri Mahesh Joshi, MLA Shri Ameen Kagzi, Shri Rafiq Khan and Housing Board Chairman Shri Bhaskar A Sawant were present in the function.