Thiruvananthapuram: In order to build houses for as many as 22,500 people in gram panchayats, an additional Rs 350 crore has been allocated for Life Mission. 

Minister for Local Self Governments M B Rajesh said that the amount will be distributed from Monday. At present, local bodies can pay all the beneficiaries requested for the same. The target is to complete five lakh houses by 2026.

In 2022, the government had allowed life beneficiaries in gram panchayats to take loans of Rs 1,448.34 crore. Of this, the government has given a guarantee of Rs 1000 crores. Amount distributed to a total of 69,217 people. The state government has also given them its share.

The amount has now been sanctioned after the government gave a guarantee of the remaining Rs 448.34 crore. It is also expected that Rs 217 crore will be paid to the Municipal Corporations within a month. The interest on the HUDCO loan will be fully borne by the government.