CHB to launch affordable housing scheme soon

Ramkrishan Upadhyay

Tribune News service

Chandigarh, May 25

Those belonging to economically weaker sections and the lower and medium income groups will now be able to realise their dream of owning a house in the city as the Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB) has decided to launch an affordable housing scheme soon.

After receiving a tepid response to the recently launched “costly” housing scheme in Sector 51, the CHB has decided to launch a scheme specially for those who cannot afford expensive houses.

Maninder Singh, Chairman of the CHB, said the board would soon launch a housing scheme for the lower income group and economically weaker sections on a no-profit-no-loss basis.

“The modalities of the scheme are being worked out. The size of the flats and their cost will be decided soon. However, the cost will be within the reach of the intended group of people,” he said.

Sources said the scheme would be launched in one of the southern sectors where land was available with the board.

City residents have been demanding an affordable housing scheme. The sources said under the scheme, the CHB was likely to construct 1 BHK and 2 BHK flats.

BN Garg, president of the Tricity Tax Bar Association and social activist, said the board should launch the scheme in sync with the policies of the Centre for providing affordable houses to people and the flats should be provided on a no-profit-no-loss basis. He said the flats under the recently launched scheme in Sector 51 were out of the reach of a majority of the residents.

CHB to launch  schemes on freehold basis?

The CHB is contemplating launching all future housing  schemes on a freehold basis. Sources  said the agenda regarding the  proposal would come up at the  next meeting of the board for approval.  At present, the board  had been  allotting  flats  under various  housing schemes  on a leasehold basis. This was also one of the  reasons  for the poor response to the Sector 51  housing  scheme.