20000311

18 'Mera Ghar' projects to stay on

JAVED MEHMOOD

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Housing and Works Abbas Sarfraz Khan formally announced the resumption of 'Mera Ghar' scheme trimming it to commercially viable 18 projects costing Rs 4.169 billion.

Addressing a press conference here on Friday the minister said the scheme had been reviewed carefully by the government and after hectic consultations with stake holders it is being reduced to 18 projects from 42. A total of 4,472 apartments would be built under this scheme.

"The scheme is no more for low-income people and allotment will be made on commercial basis keeping in view the actual market value of apartments including the cost of land that was earlier not included in the cost", he said.

He said that finance ministry has agreed to arrange Rs 1 billion seed money for the scheme immediately and it would be completed in 15 months.

Abbas Sarfraz made it clear that the government would clear the claims of 24 contractors who had made minor investment on the abolished projects while the land of these projects would be surrendered to the real owners (various government departments).

"We have resolved this thorny issue to kick-off economic activities and to encourage the construction sector and its allied industries in the country", said the minister.

Giving break-up he said seven projects would be started in Lahore to construct 1,528 apartments there, four in Karachi for building 1280 apartments, six in Islamabad to erect 1460 apartment and one project would be resumed in Peshawar to construct 204 apartments.

To a question he admitted that the government had not found any malpractices or corruption in the 'Mera Ghar' scheme and also said that construction companies and consultants involved in the scheme are well reputed and professionals.

The minister disclosed that an advisory council is being set up shortly to evolve a comprehensive policy to overcome shortage of units in the country and to start housing schemes for low-income homeless people.

Answering another question he said that the ministry would take action against the town planners who have fleeced the countrymen and expatriates in the name of housing schemes in the past.

The projects of following contractors would be resumed: M/s Habib Rafiq (Pvt.) Limited, M/s. Pakistan Associated Constructors (Pvt.) Ltd., M/s Astron Construction Company (Pvt.) Ltd., M/s Descon Engineering (Pvt.) Ltd., M/s Zee Khan Buildico - JV, M/s Maaksons Imam Co. JV, M/s. Sardar Ashraf D. Baloch, M/s Echo West International (Pvt.) Ltd., Mazcon Engineers (Pvt.) Ltd, Inter Construct (Pvt.) Ltd., National Construction Ltd., Hajvairy Associates, Builders Associates Ltd., Al-Mumtaz Corp., Shamsi Builders Ltd., ICC (Pvt.) Ltd. and Hajvairy Associates.