11.8 lakh homes lying vacant in the state

Thiruvananthapuram: Among the 1.12 crore homes in Kerala, 11, 88, 144 are lying vacant without residents. The census issued on Friday stated that more such homes are in Ernakulam district. Census director Dr VM Gopalamenon said in press meet that the number of houses had also increased 19.90 percent since 2001, touching 11,217,853 houses, of which 1,189,144 houses were vacant. Among the total 1.12 crore homes, 58, 57, 785 are in villages and 53, 60, 068 are in rural areas. In Ernakulam of the total 11. 74, 691 homes, 1, 36, 722 are lying vacant. In Thiruvananthapuram it is 1,13, 968 homes.


It was also found out that while just 51.10 percent availed of banking facility in 2001, the figure had shot up to 74.20 percent in 2011.The number of houses had also increased 19.90 percent since 2001, touching 11,217,853 houses, of which 1,189,144 houses were vacant.



Ernakulam district led with 1,174,691 houses and Wayanad came last with just 277,988 houses. Of the total, 66.30 percent were in 'good' condition, 28.40 percent in 'livable' category and 5.30 percent 'dilapidated'.


It was found out that in 68.50 percent households there was just one family, while in 13.80 percent, there were two families and in 15 percent, there were no couples at all.


As far as vehicles were concerned, 24.10 per cent owned a two wheeler, and 10.20 percent had a four wheeler.


Meanwhile, 61.90 percent were using firewood as fuel for cooking, and 35.80 percent of homes had a cooking gas cylinder.


Deputy director of census operations A.N. Rajeev said that the socio-economic-caste census would commence in the state by the the next month and would be finished by the end of May.


'The data that is going to be generated through this census is basically meant to help the state government to make its plan when it comes to identifying castes and other social indicators of the households,' he said.


Rajeev said that the data collection would be done by the enumerators equipped with a hand-held device and once the data is fed, only the supervisor would have access to it.


'Before it is finalised, barring the caste, other details would be displayed in every village council for people to make any correction, if required,' he said.