Two housing schemes approved for government employees: minister

The federal government has approved two separate housing schemes for government employees of grade 1-16 and 17-21 to provide them accommodation on ownership basis and at affordable price, said Hosing Minister Syed Safwanullah here on Tuesday.
Addressing a news conference, the Minister said that 15,000 houses would be constructed for low-grade government employees and the Capital Development Authority (CDA) has been tasked to identify the land whereas 1000 flats have already been constructed at G-11/1, he added.
He said the CDA has identified land at some location but the final decision would be taken keeping in view the employees' needs. As soon as the appropriate land is identified and allotted, the construction work would be started, The services of Nespak as a consultant have already been hired, he added.
He said that the government has been considering as to what arrangements be made to provide the low-paid government employees their own shelter and decided to construct 15,000 apartments whereas another scheme for 17-22 grade government employees has also been approved by the government in principle.
However, he did not specify the number of houses to be constructed for grade 17-21 employees, saying that modalities for the scheme are being finalised. They would also get ownership rights, he added.
Safwanullah said that the banks would finance these schemes instead of the government and the instalments would be deducted at source from the employees' salaries. The decision, he said was taken keeping in view the governmental tedious procedures.
Giving details of houses, the minister said the construction would be done vertical to accommodate maximum floors to make the price of flats minimum as the land is major cost contributor. Similar schemes would also be launched in Karachi and Lahore, he added.
The minister said that G-6/1 flats have also been kept at the Housing Ministry's disposal which would be evacuated soon. He said those who have been allotted one plot in any sector are not entitled for another plot or house under Ministry's allotment rules.
To a question, the minister said that some foreign firms have also expressed the interest in constructing low cost houses but they did not submit any concrete proposals.