The evicted families have pitched makeshift tents at the demolition site in Bengaluru’s Kogilu Layout. | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
The distribution of replacement housing to families affected by the demolition of illegal structures in Yelahanka’s Kogilu Layout will take place on January 2 as the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) and the Rajiv Gandhi Housing Corporation continue to scrutinize documents to determine eligibility.
BZ Housing and Minorities Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan said on Thursday that the government intends to provide permanent housing only to those who are found “eligible” and therefore decided to conduct a comprehensive verification process.
“As per Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s instructions, officials from the Revenue Department and GBA are verifying the documents without haste to ensure that the benefits reach only the genuine beneficiaries. The distribution, originally scheduled for January 1, has been postponed by a day in view of the ongoing verification,” he said.
Meanwhile, residents whose houses were demolished in Fakeer Colony and Waseem Layout protested on Thursday, alleging that the government has not clearly defined the eligibility criteria for allotment of alternative housing. Displaced families said the lack of clarity had created fear and uncertainty, with many fearing the criteria could be used to deny them housing at various stages.
“Even after the demolition, we were asked to temporarily move to a nearby wedding hall, but we did not agree because we fear that once we move, we may be left with nowhere to go again. We are afraid that a permanent solution will not be provided, so we stayed at the demolition site,” said one of the residents.
Officials from the housing department were not available for comment on the eligibility norms. However, earlier, Rajiv Gandhi Housing Corporation officials told The Hindu that eligibility will be determined on the basis of Aadhaar cards and in cases where Aadhaar is not available, ration cards or EPIC will be considered.
Published – 1 Jan 2026 21:32 IST
