The Karnataka Chief Minister, S.M. Krishna, announced that the Ashraya Housing Scheme for the rural poor would be extended to urban areas, and the beneficiaries given a grant of Rs 10,000 per unit. He was inaugurating the Rs 274 crore Nirmala Jyothi Slum Improvement Project, jointly launched by the Housing Department, the Karnataka Slum Clearance board, and HUDCO. Under the project, basic amenities will be provided to slum areas to improve the quality of life of slum dwellers.