Kogilu demolition: Alternative housing for eligible families to be distributed on Jan. 2

The distribution of alternative housing to families affected by the demolition of illegal structures at Yelahanka’s Kogilu Layout will take place on January 2, as the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) and the Rajiv Gandhi Housing Corporation continue to scrutinise documents to determine eligibility.

Minister for Housing and Minority B.Z. Zameer Ahmed Khan said on Thursday that the government intends to provide permanent housing only to those found ‘eligible’ and has therefore decided to conduct a comprehensive verification process.

“Following directions from Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, officials from the Revenue Department and the GBA are reviewing documents without haste to ensure that benefits reach only genuine beneficiaries. The distribution, originally scheduled for January 1, was deferred by a day in view of the ongoing verification exercise,” he said.

Meanwhile, residents whose houses were demolished in Fakeer Colony and Waseem Layout staged protests on Thursday, alleging that the government had not clearly defined the eligibility criteria for allotment of alternative housing. The displaced families said a lack of clarity had created fear and uncertainty, with many worried that the criteria could be used to deny them housing at different stages.

“After demolition too, we were asked to shift to a nearby wedding hall temporarily, but we did not agree because we fear that once we move, we may again be left with nowhere to go. We are scared that no permanent solution will be given, which is why we have stayed back at the demolition site,” a resident said. 

Officials from the Housing Department were not available for comments on the eligibility norms. However, earlier, officials from the Rajiv Gandhi Housing Corporation had told The Hindu that eligibility would be determined based on Aadhaar cards, and in cases where Aadhaar was not available, ration cards or EPIC would be considered.