Mangaluru: Protesters lead by CPI (M) gathered in front of the office of the MLA Mangaluru South J R Lobo’s,  demanding homes for homeless labors in the fast growing coastal city.  The agitated gathering included more than 100 homeless people.
J R Lobo, learning the news of arrival of protesters, came out and met with the agitators and attempted  to pacify them. Addressing the protesters, CPI (M) leader Sunil Kumar Bajal briefed the MLA about their concerns and demands.

Bajal said more than 1000 people have filed an application before the MCC for the grant of sites to construct houses. “The MCC has not responded swiftly, and as a result, the homeless have been left in the lurch”.  He demanded that Lobo, take immediate action to provide homes for the poor.

Reacting to the demands, Lobo said that while he was the Commissioner of the MCC, he provided houses to many homeless at Shaktinagara, which is now famously known as Rajeev Nagara. He took pride in his work and saying, “I was a key person in 2003 in providing shelter to the needy”.

Touching upon the current demand said “We have identified as many as 11 acres to construct multi-storied apartments at Kannur and the homeless will be accommodated there.” However he said there would be escalation in construction cost as apartment structure demands more money and according to his rough estimation, cost would in the range of Rs. 3.50 lakhs “It could house more than 500 people,” he informed.

Besides he argued that there are no lands available to house this massive number of people, if separate houses are constructed. Considering all the factors, an apartment at this time is feasible, he opined. He said approximately RS 1.50 laksh would be shouldered by the government and for the rest, loan facilities would be provided by the MCC to the applicants. He said that the Nirmiti Kendra would be tasked with the construction of the same,  and he hoped the apartment complex would be ready within two years.