Unawarded TATA eligible recipients to receive flats

The government on Saturday, announced its decision to award flats from the ongoing social housing projects to the eligible recipients who did not receive housing from the TATA-developed flats.

TATA developed social housing flats in Arabiyya and Gaakoshi; now titled the Male' Central and Male' Grand, respectively.

The Ministry of Housing, Land and Urban Development said that individuals who were eligible to receive TATA social housing flats and arranged high-interest loans for the apartments, but have not been awarded under any other social housing initiative so far, will receive housing.

Under the government's policy for a comprehensive solution on housing, the current administration has decided to award eligible recipients who missed out on previous social housing initiatives launched during former governments, the ministry added.

The ministry further announced government's plans to ease difficulties recipients face in repaying the loans acquired for social housing.

A total of 280 housing units were developed in former Arabiyya School ground and Gaakoshi during former President Mohamed Nasheed's presidency.

As compensation, the Nasheed government awarded the plots, where Naadhee and Odion are located, to TATA to develop and sell high-end luxury apartments. Additionally, TATA was granted the development of a tourist resort in Lhaviyani atoll Lhossalafushi.

The contract was however terminated in 2017 during former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom's administration, citing delay in mobilizing the project as per contractually agreed period.

Former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's administration however, resumed the agreement with a settlement in January 2022.

While it has been 12 years since the government contracted TATA to develop 500 flats, it had developed only 288 units. Despite the failure by TATA to meet its contractual obligation, the then government's decision to resume the agreement drew public criticism.