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The Hindu
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Kannur declared extreme-poverty free district
Kerala has lifted 52,635 families out of extreme poverty in the past five years, Local Self-Government Minister M.B. Rajesh has said. Speaking at an event declaring Kannur district free of extreme poverty, at the district panchayat auditorium on Thursday (August 14, 2025), the Minister said the State government's first decision after assuming office in 2021 was to eradicate extreme poverty. A survey had identified 64,006 families, and special microplans were prepared for each to enable their transition. As a result, 94.47% of those identified have overcome extreme poverty. 'Kerala is set to become the first State in India and the first region globally after China to achieve the feat,' the Minister said, crediting the coordinated efforts of local bodies and district administrations. Around 15,000 people earlier excluded from the Life Mission housing scheme have been added to the beneficiary list, with construction under way. District Collectors have been authorised to identify and allot land to the landless. The Minister also announced that Kerala would be declared fully digitally literate on August 21, with 21.87 lakh people trained to use the K-Smart service.
Time of India
09-08-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Karimadom Colony rehab project gets green light
Thiruvananthapuram : Nearly two decades of uncertainty appear to be drawing to a close for the residents of Karimadom Colony. The basic services for urban poor (BSUP) rehabilitation project, launched by the corporation in 2008 but stalled since 2023, finally secured technical sanction. Costs, designs and timelines are now in place, but only after persistent allegations of civic apathy and election-driven politics. The civic body confirmed that the local-self govt department has granted technical approval for the project to house all 105 affected families. "The project has been approved, and Costford, the accredited agency, will handle construction," said Jahamgeer S, corporation secretary. "Work will begin within a month of signing the agreement and the project is expected to be completed within a year. Each unit will cost Rs 21 lakh, with a total of 105 units planned. The land has already been cleared for construction." For residents, these developments bring a glimmer of hope after years of inadequate compensation and unmet promises. Since 2023, the corporation has provided each family only Rs 2,000 per month as temporary rent—a sum many consider insufficient, especially given the lack of basic amenities. Ward councillor K K Suresh said: "It shows the corporation's sheer apathy in properly rehabilitating the residents. For the past two years, they have been paying just a meager amount as monthly rent, while residents continue to struggle without essential facilities. The sudden action now seems driven by the upcoming local body elections, rather than genuine concern." However, a source close to the corporation said the delay was due to the beneficiaries' failure to provide the necessary documents. "Many families don't have documents or ID cards. Some beneficiaries are no more and their families don't have the required papers. So, proceedings are underway to resolve the issue before rehabilitating them," a source said. Residents, too, voiced their discontent. Stella Sebastian, a mother of three, said: "Every day, I worry about my children risking illness in these damp and cramped shelters. Rs 2,000 doesn't even cover basic hygiene, let alone safety. We have waited long enough," she said. Another resident, Sathyan P, added: "We have heard promises since 2008, when the BSUP scheme was first mooted for Karimadom, yet here we are, stuck in makeshift homes with no proper toilets or electricity. This project must begin, and it must finish," he said. Indeed, the project's origins run deep. As far back as 2008, plans under BSUP, later integrated into initiatives like the Life Mission, aimed to demolish 105 temporary homes and rebuild units for each family, but tangible progress remained elusive for years. Architectural firm Costford has long been associated with cost-effective and sustainable housing proposals for the colony. Their Laurie Baker-inspired designs included multi-story blocks with terraces and balconies meant to offer dignity and functionality to low-income occupants, a blend of affordability and human-centric design. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Raksha Bandhan wishes , messages and quotes !
The Hindu
19-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
First phase of Shanthipuram colony redevelopment to get under way soon
The first-phase redevelopment of Shanthipuram Colony, housing 197 families in Division 44 of the Kochi Corporation, is set to get under way soon. The project will follow the concept of Pocket Homes, an innovative social housing project designed to optimise space and foster community engagement along a linear axis. Unlike conventional housing layouts, Pocket Homes utilise the linear axis by pushing houses inward alternatively creating pockets of spaces along the street to maximise land utilisation and promote social interaction. The Shanthipuram Colony redevelopment plan drawn up by Architect Engineering College of Asadi Group proposes blocks of eight houses at the rate of four houses on three cents each, with each family having title deeds for 0.75 cents. The existing houses, which are more than four decades old, remain rickety and stand cheek by jowl. 'Giving them [residents] safe housing has been a long-term goal of the Corporation and was declared in our budget. Each house entails a cost of ₹10 lakh, though the Corporation cannot provide more than ₹4 lakh to each family under the Life Mission. Neither could we use other funds for the purpose. Finding the remaining ₹6 lakh for each has been the challenge before the Corporation,' said Mayor M. Anilkumar. Bharat Petroleum Limited-Kochi Refinery and Shobha Group had pledged corporate social responsibility funds of ₹1 crore and ₹50 lakh respectively following which the first phase of redevelopment was announced. Division councillor George Nanatt, who has been at the forefront of the redevelopment of the colony, said that in the initial phase, 16 houses would be completed in the next three to six months to convince the beneficiaries that the project was indeed up and running. 'The major hurdle is that most families have pawned their 0.75 cents for a few lakhs and are not in a position to immediately repay the loan and retrieve the title deeds. The construction cannot be launched unless the title deeds are available either. So, to kick-start the project, houses will be built on land of which the title deeds are available,' he said.
Time of India
19-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Construction of new houses for Shanthipuram Colony residents begins
Kochi: Reconstruction of houses has begun for residents in the area known as Shanthipuram Colony, located in 44th division of Kochi corporation in Karanakodam. Corporation has designed the project to construct new houses for 197 families in the colony using Life Mission and CSR funds. The existing houses are very old and lack proper security. "Providing them with safe and secure homes has been one of the long-term goals of the municipality and was announced in the budget. Under the leadership of Azadi Group's Architecture Engineering College, a plan has been prepared to construct apartment complexes in blocks of eight homes each, across three cents," mayor M Anilkumar said. "The expected construction cost for one house is Rs 10 lakh. However, the maximum amount the corporation can provide per family under LIFE scheme is Rs 4 lakh. We are unable to use any other funds for this purpose. The challenge before the corporation was to find the remaining Rs 6 lakh per house. Assurances have been received for CSR funds of Rs 1 crore from BPCL Kochi Refinery and Rs 50 lakh from Sobha Group. Phase I construction activities will commence soon," Anilkumar added. "Division councillor George Nanat also took the initiative to ensure the project becomes a reality," he said.
Time of India
10-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Regn, stamp duty relief for Life Mission beneficiaries
T'puram: The cabinet on Thursday approved the tripartite agreement for the Wayanad Township project and appointed S Suhas as special officer for its implementation. The cabinet also decided to waive the registration and stamp duty charges for Life Mission beneficiaries acquiring land for house construction, subject to certification by the district collector or designated officer. A similar exemption was approved for nine flood-affected beneficiaries who received homes built by the Muthoot Pappachan Foundation in Chittar village. It has been decided to establish a tribal taluk supply office in Attapadi, Palakkad. New posts, including taluk supply officer and rationing inspector, will be created, and staff reallocated from the civil supplies department. Financial aid totalling Rs 95,32,500 from CMDRF has been sanctioned for 473 individuals in Pathanamthitta district who lost homes partially or fully to natural calamities since Jan 2023. The cabinet also decided to implement the 2024 Telecom (Right of Way) Rules. A govt guarantee has been approved for a Rs 50cr loan that the SC/ST development corporation will raise from NSKFDC. It has also been decided to reappoint retired district judge E Baiju as the registrar of the Lok Ayukta for two years. The cabinet cleared a draft ordinance to exclude NUALS from the purview of the Kerala PSC (University Services) Act and recommended its promulgation to the governor. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Brain tumor has left my son feeling miserable; please help! Donate For Health Donate Now Undo For employees of Kerala Feeds Ltd, the pensionable age will be increased from 58 to 60 years. The rent for 40.47 acres of govt land leased to the state women's development corporation in Vazhakkala village, Ernakulam, has been revised. The land conservancy unit of the Travancore devaswom board's land protection wing has been given a one-year extension till March 2026. The govt also sanctioned Rs 2,86,293 to cover the medical expenses of late literacy activist and Padma Shri awardee K V Rabia. The amount will be handed over to her sister Arifa. The govt guarantee for Kerala social security pension Ltd has been increased from Rs 6,000cr to Rs 14,000cr. Karthika S Pillai, daughter of forest watcher N Sivarama Pillai who died in 2015, will be given a clerical job in the forest department under the compassionate appointment scheme. The cabinet also approved three tenders worth over Rs 98cr for Phase II of the Kuttanad drinking water project.
