The government has decided to build another 1,00,000 homes across the country as it has already constructed 59,803 homes in the first phase of the project for the poor rural people to tackle the problem of rough sleeping.
The decision of housing charities and to fight homelessness in the second phase has been taken marking the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, according to the minutes of the Prime Minister's Office (PMO). Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated construction of homes for homeless and landless people across the country on October 19.
An official of the project said that the long-cherished dream of some hapless people are now coming true once they are getting homes amid the coronavirus pandemic.
In case of corruption and irregularities while constructing homes and selecting the beneficiaries the authorities concerned will be responsible, the official said.
According to the minutes of inauguration ceremony, there will be zero tolerance against corruption and nepotism during construction of homes in villages for the poorest people across the country.
The authorities concerned are building 24,538 homes in Dhaka, Rangpur, Barishal at a cost of Taka 419.64 crore for landless and homeless villagers under the PMO's Ashrayan-2 Project as part of the government’s initiative to construct 59,803 houses at a cost of Taka 1022.62 crore across the country within the middle of the next year.
Finance Division disbursed Taka 400 crore in this regard on Sunday although the Project Director sought an additional fund of Taka 813.30 crore.
As part of the project, Disaster Management and Relief Ministry is building 20,373 houses at a cost of Taka 338.37 crore under the housing programme in Rajshahi, Sylhet, and Khulna. Besides, the Ministry of Land has also started construction of 14,892 houses under Guchchhogram Second Phase Project at a cost Taka 258.65 crore.
Project Director Md Mahabub Hasan told The Business Post that construction of the houses in three districts has already been started by the concerned ministries.
He said that the Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNOs) have already selected poor people and khas land in their respective areas.
The UNOs will maintain zero tolerance against corruption in the construction of the houses, he also said.
ask/wi
