Tamil Nadu Government Allocates Additional Rs 400 Crore for Kalaignar Illam Scheme

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has sanctioned an additional Rs 400 crore for the Kalaignar Kanavu Illam Scheme (KKI), taking the total funding for the initiative to Rs 1,451 crore. This move is aimed at accelerating the construction of one lakh concrete houses across the state, particularly targeting the rural population. With this added allocation, the state government intends to complete the construction of these houses within the current financial year.

The KKI scheme was initially allocated Rs 1,051 crore for the current financial year. This additional funding will ensure the project’s timely completion. The government has also granted administrative approval for an overall allocation of Rs 3,500 crore to build these one lakh concrete houses under the scheme, with each house receiving a budget of Rs 3.5 lakh.

This initiative is aligned with the Tamil Nadu government’s broader objective of creating a "hut-free Tamil Nadu" by 2030. A survey conducted under the "House for All in Tamil Nadu" program indicated that there are approximately eight lakh huts in rural areas that need to be replaced with permanent housing. The state’s plan to construct eight lakh houses by 2030 aims to address this issue, improving living conditions for rural families.

Each house under the KKI scheme is being built on a 360 square feet plot. This size ensures that low-income families have access to basic, but adequate, housing. To reduce the financial strain on beneficiaries, the Tamil Nadu government has arranged for the procurement of construction materials like cement and iron rods at discounted rates through the Tamil Nadu Cement Corporation (TANCEM). These materials are then supplied directly to the beneficiaries, further reducing their overall costs. The government disburses funds for the construction of each house in stages, based on progress, directly to the beneficiaries’ Single Nodal Accounts.

The Tamil Nadu government is employing modern construction techniques to expedite the work and ensure timely completion. The additional Rs 400 crore will support these efforts, enabling the completion of all one lakh houses as planned. By streamlining processes and allocating necessary resources, the government aims to meet its goal of providing secure, concrete homes for families living in inadequate housing conditions.

So far, the government has already allocated over Rs 1,051 crore to this project. The Kalaignar Kanavu Illam Scheme is a critical component of the state’s broader housing initiative, aimed at improving the living standards of rural populations. This scheme, which has received support from both the state administration and the public, is expected to have lasting positive effects on the quality of life for thousands of families.