Pema assures early completion of housing project

OUR CORRESPONDENT

ITAGAR, July 20: Aruchal Pradesh Housing Minister Pema Khandu today informed that New Delhi based Ishvakoo India Pvt Ltd, the company executing construction of 3000 flats under the department at Jollang, near here, has assured to complete 60 units of category E by December next year. Responding to a supplementary by BJP member Tesam Pongte in the assembly during question hour, the minister informed that the department had initiated the project during 2010 on public private partnership (PPP) mode after execution of a memorandum of agreement between the construction company and State Urban Development Agency (SUDA).

He said 60 units under category E (Type V) were under construction while 116 applications for flat have been received so far. When Pongte sought to know the reason for slow progress of the project, Pema informed that the company discontinued works after local problems cropped up. However, the district administration evicted the illegal encroachers from the project site and the company was informed and accordingly it had assured the department to complete 60 flats by December next year.

Pongte, while pointing out large scale encroachment in the project area urged the state government to think seriously on the issue which could jeopardize developmental activities, saying that when four illegal structures were demolished in Changlang district why not in the capital, Pema informed that steps were taken accordingly.

Responding to a supplementary from senior BJP member Japu Deru on the terms and conditions in the MoA for compensation, the minister informed that such provisions were incorporated. In reply to a supplementary from Opposition BJP leader Tamiyo Taga as to why the department could not construct the flats when the company had stopped works, Pema said the since the project was in PPP mode, the department was not spending any amount but would convene a meeting with the company in September next and ask to complete 60 units by next year. When BJP member Dr Mohesh Chai wanted to know the steps taken by the government to tackle local issues including encroachment, the minister said that steps were taken as per the law.