Homes built as part of the ‘Shram-Dham’ initiative

Shree Balram Charitable Trust Chairman and Speaker Ramesh Tawadkar addressing a news conference in Canacona.
CANACONA
Stating that 20 houses have been completed under the ‘Shram-Dham’ initiative, Shree Balram Charitable Trust Chairman and Speaker Ramesh Tawadkar has said Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will hand over the keys to the beneficiaries on June 15.
Addressing a news conference in Canacona on Saturday, Tawadkar said Canacona BJP Karyakartas had launched the Shree Balram Charitable Trust on March 25 and had initially taken up 14 houses for construction for needy families as part of the ‘Shram-Dham’ initiative.
“With the Shram of our Karyakartas and contributions in cash and kind from wellwishers and benefactors, we have now completed 20 houses. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birlaji has confirmed his availability on June 15 and he will hand over the keys of these houses to all 20 beneficiaries.”
While Rs 10 lakh had been spent on one house, between Rs 5 and Rs 8 lakh were spent on each of the remaining 19 houses, Tawadkar said.
“Due to paucity of time, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will see only one house constructed for Harischandra Naik at Passal, Poinguinim. He will then visit the Shree Balram Residential School complex built under central funds at Amone, Poinguinim, before presiding over the main programme at Government Higher Secondary School Complex in Mastimoll,” said Tawadkar.
Tawadkar claimed that the ‘Shram-Dham’ movement has become a state-wide movement, with even Chief Minister Pramod Sawant recommending the initiative in other constituencies.
“We had a task to build up to 150 houses in Canacona within the next three years and we will also assist other constituencies in their endeavour to take up similar challenges,” said Tawadkar.
“People have not only supported us with physical work, but many have contributed in kind and cash as well. Normally, we build houses with roof-tiles only, but we had to build one house with a slab roof at Palolem due to the prevailing situations there.”
“A booklet will be also be published of all 20 families regarding their previous old dwelling unit and the type of house built for them under the ‘Shram-Dham’ project.”
Tawadkar said all well-wishers, contributors and benefactors besides all ministers, MPs, MLAs, ZP members, bureaucrats, elected representatives of all panchayats in Goa and state BJP leaders will be invited to the event on June 15.