Mangaluru: Minister for Urban Development and Housing, U T Khader plans to increase the income limit for beneficiaries of rural housing schemes to help them have a wider reach.
Speaking to reporters here , Mr Khader said he would hold a meeting with his department officials in Bengaluru on Monday to discuss the issue. "At present only a person with an annual income of upto Rs 32,000 can claim the benefits of the rural housing scheme. But this means that his or her income should be less than Rs 2,600 a month. We propose to increase this limit to bring it on par with that of beneficiaries of the urban housing scheme, which is Rs 1 lakh a year " he explained.
Lamenting that on the one hand the government drew up schemes for the poor and on the other it had rules that stopped people from enjoying them, he pointed out that the present income limit would stop many people from benefiting from the rural housing scheme. Mr Khader said he was also considering easing the difference between BP L and APL beneficiaries of the housing scheme.
"We provide only a 700 sq ft house. We are look into the pros and cons of this and will take a decision on easing the APL-BPL divide," he said.
Taking serious objection to BJP leader, Basangauda Patil Yatnal's statement against Muslims, the Minister called it both unconstitutional and uncivilized.
"I would like to tell the people that if their elected representatives do not treat them properly they should go to the Congress office and we will get their work done," he assured.
