New Delhi/Thiruvananthapuram | Kerala Local Self Government Minister K M Shaji on Monday said he does not support placing boards or emblems in front of houses constructed under welfare schemes.
His remarks came days after the LDF criticised his statement that there was no need to block central funds under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) over the issue of displaying the scheme's emblem on beneficiary houses.
Following the criticism, the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) leader clarified that his statement was limited to the display of the PMAY emblem and challenged his critics to point out any PMAY emblem carrying the Prime Minister's photograph.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Shaji said it was not appropriate to place boards in front of houses and pointed out that even the houses built by the IUML in Wayanad did not have such boards.
"I have a clear dissent on placing such boards," he said.
Shaji said, however, there were people desperately waiting for houses and they were not concerned about whether a board was installed.
"My stand was that poor people should not lose the houses they deserve because of a political debate over this issue," he said.
The minister said he stood by his earlier statement and had never intended to hurt anyone's sentiments.
The previous LDF government had criticised the PMAY for its requirement of displaying a logo or photograph in front of beneficiary houses.
Under the LDF government's LIFE Mission housing project, beneficiaries received Rs 4 lakh for house construction, including Rs 1.5 lakh under PMAY and an additional Rs 2.5 lakh from the state government.
