By Md Mamun Islam
            
RANGPUR, July 20, 2022 (BSS) – Some 6,935 landless and homeless families will get new houses as gifts from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the Mujib Year in the second installment under the third phase of Asrayan-2 project in Rangpur division tomorrow.  

“The selected families will get 6,935 new houses built spending Taka 2,39,500 for each in all eight districts of the division,” Additional Divisional Commissioner (Revenue) Md. Ibrahim Khan told BSS today.

 Earlier, 8,244 newly constructed abodes, out of a total of 15,438 allocated houses in the third phase, were handed over to selected families in the first installment on April 26 last and 6,935 houses will be distributed in the second installment tomorrow.

 Besides, 259 more houses will be distributed soon after completion of construction in the near future under the third phase of Asrayan-2 project in the division.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister will declare a total of nine upazilas, including all five upazilas in Panchagarh district, in Rangpur division free from homeless and landless families tomorrow.

 “The Prime Minister is expected to launch handing over ownership of 6,935 new houses through distributing keys and land registration documents to homeless families through a videoconferencing from Ganabhaban tomorrow,” Khan said.

 The government has allocated Taka 368.97 crore for construction of 15,438 houses in all eight districts of Rangpur division in the third phase of Asrayan-2 project.

 Earlier, the government had allocated Taka 224.18 crore for construction of 13,130 houses in the first phase and Taka 239.69 crore for construction of more 12,436 houses in the second phase in Rangpur division.

On January 23 last year, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina distributed 9,431 new houses out of total 13,130 in the first phase to homeless families of Rangpur division through a videoconferencing.

 Later, the remaining 3,699 houses were distributed to more 3,699 homeless families after completing construction works in the second phase.

 “Under the second phase, the Prime Minister distributed 9,703 new houses out of total 12,436 to homeless families of the division through a videoconferencing on June 20 last year,” he said.
Subsequently, the remaining 2,733 houses were distributed after completing construction in the second phase.

 “So far, a total of 33,810 homeless families have got 33,810 houses in Rangpur division in the first, second and third phases,” Khan said.

 On completion of distribution of 15,438 new abodes to homeless families in the third phase, a total of 41,004 families will get houses built at a total cost of Taka 832.84 crore in the division.

  Meanwhile, the selected homeless families in the third phase are eagerly waiting to get colourful houses with corrugated iron sheets on roofs, two bedrooms, one kitchen, one hygienic sanitary latrine, one utility space and veranda tomorrow.

 Gangachara Upazila Nirbahi Officer Ershad Uddin said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is likely to hand over 102 new houses with land ownership under Asrayan-2 project in the second installment to 102 homeless families in the upazila tomorrow.

“Earlier, 200 homeless families received 200 houses under the first and second phases and more 100 families got 100 houses in the first installment of the third phase of Asrayan project in Gangachara upazila,” Ershad added.

Deputy Commissioner of Panchagarh Jahurul Islam said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to hand over 1,413 new houses to 1,413 landladies and homeless families of 43 unions excluding three municipalities in five upazilas of the district tomorrow.

With the distribution of 1,413 more houses in the second installment under the third phase of Asrayan-2 project tomorrow, distribution of 4,850 houses to all 4,850 homeless families will be completed in Panchagarh district.

“After handing over 1,413 new houses with land registration documents tomorrow, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to declare Panchagarh as the first district along with Magura free from homeless and landless families,” he added.

Talking to BSS, Divisional Commissioner Md. Abdul Wahhab Bhuiyan said the climate-resilient colorful houses have been constructed under a strict monitoring system ensuring high quality of works.

 Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is likely to inaugurate distribution of newly built 6,935 houses to 6,935 landless and homeless families with land ownership documents and keys in Rangpur division through a videoconferencing tomorrow.

“Asrayan project aims at ensuring shelter for all homeless people to assist them rebuild life, improve living standard, health care and skill development on income generating activities,” Bhuiyan said.