According to sources, the eligibility criteria that will determine how the houses will be divided have not yet been clearly defined, delaying the recovery process. | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
More than 150 families affected by the Kogilu Layout demolition, who were assured by BZ Social Affairs and Housing Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan that they would get “good news” on January 1, are yet to be allotted houses, leaving the displaced residents in continuous limbo.
Sources told The Hindu that the allotment of houses is now expected only after January 5 as the government is still not ready with the final number of eligible beneficiaries. The sources added that the eligibility criteria that will determine how the houses are to be divided has not yet been clearly defined, delaying the recovery process.
Meanwhile, an NGO that has been working closely with residents of the site for several years revised its survey data and said nearly 180 families were affected by the demolition, 10 families more than an earlier estimate. The organization said these families were not present at the site during the initial post-demolition survey and were therefore missing.
According to the NGO, all 10 families have the necessary documents to prove their eligibility. To back up its claims, the organization recorded video testimonials from affected families and posted them to ensure they were included in the final list of beneficiaries.
“Government Diluting Promises”
Samyukta Horata Karnataka slammed the government for demolishing the houses, calling it an “inhuman error” and warned the government against keeping its promise to rehabilitate the affected families.
The collective said the government had earlier assured that families whose houses were demolished in Kogilu Layout would be provided houses as a humane gesture on New Year.
However, it is alleged that the government has now started diluting this assurance by saying that houses will be given only to those who have documents and only to those who are from Karnataka. The organization demanded that the state provide housing to all families affected by the demolition without discriminating against locals and so-called outsiders.
Published – 02 Jan 2026 22:50 IST
