MUKESH SHARMA

Kalimpong, December 26

The CPM leader Tara Sundas has raised issue on the features of the under construction houses for the poor under Gitanjali Awas Yojna in Kalimpong.

 Sundas has alleged that the construction of the houses has remained poor and it has not followed the norms laid down by the state government.

He also displayed the photos of the under-construction houses to prove for the same. 766 houses are to be constructed in the first phase out of 1500 houses sanctioned under the Yojna in the Hills.

The state government had fixed particular norms for the construction which says that the size of the rooms has to be 20’ 6’x 17’ 7’, the kitchen must be 6’2’x 6’. The pillar has to be 8’x 8’, with 12mm rod; 4 inch cement flooring and windows in the kitchen. The state government had also drafted the sketch of the house but the houses being constructed are far away from the norms alleged Sundas. He has submitted a memorandum to the Kalimpong sub divisional officer calling asking speedy investigation on the issue.

He also said that the district collector must investigate the matter and must punish the persons behind it.

Under the 766 houses being constructed in the first phase, 284 houses in Darjeeling, 259 in Kurseong and 233 in are under construction. Sundas has also asked for the release of the construction of remaining 734 houses at the earliest.

Also stressing on the 1800 houses announced by the Trinamool Government, he said that the houses should be provided to the poor families, the victims of the earthquake, workers of the tea-garden.

The tender of the remaining constructions should be held at the block level by which the officials at the block level will be directly responsible if something goes wrong said Sundas.