Housing for poor in Sindh

About 15 months ago I visited “Khuda Ki Basti” in outskirts of Karachi. It is a housing scheme for poor, needy and low income shelterless people who would be given plots in these schemes on very low prices. The government was providing plots at little or no cost and heavily subsidising other facilities. For example, electricity was provided at night for a fan and some light bulbs for 8 rupees a month. The condition was that the owners have to live there themselves. The houses could not be sold for an extended period. People are assisted and shown how to construct their own house with help of neighbors and community members for about 70,000 to be speant over the contruction period.
The majority of the residents was Urdu speaking. I was pleasantly surprised that there were some sindhi speaking families there. In our task force report on rural development, we had recommended that similar schemes should be established in each district and even in each taulka. I am glad to know from the following press report that some steps are now being taken.
I know that Rp 70000 is not small money. But it is little over one thousand dollars. Many lower middle class people can benefit. I wish that our people will take advantage and infact demand more of these schemes in their areas
Ali Nawaz Memon----------------------------------------------------------Sindh to launch housing schemes in districts Updated on 1/26/2002 10:03:02 AM
Send this Article to your friend Printer-Friendly Version!!! Post your Comments KARACHI (APP): Sindh Government will launch housing schemes in every District on the pattern of “Khuda Ki Basti” for poors, needy and low income shelterless people who would be given plots in these schemes on very low prices.This was stated by Provincial Minister for Food and Agriculture, Hasan Ali Chaniho, in a briefing here Thursday by Director General Katchi Abadis, Tasnim Ahmed Siddiqi regarding Khuda Ki Basti project.
It may be mentioned here that during his last visit to Karachi, President General Pervez Musharraf had appointed Mr Chaniho as coordinator of the project in the briefing on Katchi Abadis.
The present government, Hasan Ali Chaniho pointed out, is taking practical steps to provide residential facilities to low income and shelterless people.
The Minister directed the DG Katchi Abadis to initiate as pilot project, residential scheme in every district on the pattern of Khuda Ki Basti and proposals be chalked out in this regard for allocation of land in Rohri, Tando Allahyar, Larkana, Shikarpur, Mirpurkhas, Sukkur, Sukkur, GHotki, Khipro and Naushahro Feroze.
He said the Board of Revenue and concerned EDOs Revenues be conatacted immediately to identify pieces of land of 10-15 acrees for the start of project.
He expressed the hope that like Khuda Ki Basti housing scheme, this project, too, would be launched soon.
The present government, Mr Chaniho said, does not believe in hollow slogans but in practical actions.
He declared that only poors, needy and low income people would be given plots in these schemes.
On the occasion DG Katchi Abadis, Tasnim Ahmed Siddiqi, briefed the Minister about the outlying objectives of the Khuda Ki Basti project with the help of slides and designs and said this project has already been successfully implemented in Kotri, Gharo and malir.
He said that in view of the problems of low income people, the terms and conditions for allotment have been made very simple and simple procedure has been devised.
He said all required formalities will be completed and possession handed over on site.
He said the occupant of the plot will have to start work immediately.
Tasnim Siddiqi said that for provision of basic facilities, water will be supplied through tankers while various routes will be approved for transport facility.
He informed that provision of hospital, mosque, school, park, playground etc will be made in these schemes.
According to him NGOs and philanthropists will also extend financial assistance.
He informed that cost of land will be kept very low and an allottee could pay it in easy instalments.