Maken promises affordable houses

Saying that he would seek votes on the work done by him for residents of the city and not on rhetoric or pompous promises, Congress candidate from New Delhi constituency Ajay Maken announced some goodies for babus, who form a chunk of voters in the area, reports HT Correspondent.

Saying that he would seek votes on the work done by him for residents of the city and not on rhetoric or pompous promises, Congress candidate from New Delhi constituency Ajay Maken announced some goodies for babus, who form a chunk of voters in the area.

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Finding a decent house after retirement, when they have to vacate their official accommodation, is a major problem for most government employees.

Maken said the government plans to use some available ‘land banks’ for developing housing schemes for government employees.

Maken, however, said that this is just not a poll promise. “I have been working towards this earlier and have submitted a memorandum to the Centre on the matter,” he said. “Land acquisition rate in Delhi is Rs 75 lakh an acre. So the eventual cost would be very high for the retired people,” he said.

“I have suggested that the government build these homes on the available ‘land bank’ and then provide it to government employees at the cost of construction,” he said.

He also said there are still some anomalies in recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission for government employees.

“I had contested the 2004 elections on the basis of the Sixth Pay Commission which was introduced last year. There are certain anomalies left, particularly for those in the middle rung but I have taken up the issue to the highest level,” he said.

Referring to BJP’s candidate from the constituency Vijay Goel, Maken said, “I have been a Minister Of State for three years and my opponent too was a MOS in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government. Let both of us talk about the work we have done.”

Maken has prepared six different brochures documenting the work he has done for different segments of the constituency and he would send them to 12,000 opinion makers like RWAs.

He said pamphlets containing details of his performance would be sent to all residents.