As Maharashtra turned 52 Tuesday, the government said it would provide low-cost housing to mill workers and free houses to kin of mill workers who died during struggle for a state for Marathi-speaking people.

"The government has decided to provide 6,948 houses to mill workers at reduced and affordable rates, at Rs.7,50,000 in multi-storeyed buildings. The government will also give free houses to the survivors of the mill workers who lost their lives in the Samyukta Maharashtra Movement," Governor K. Sankaranarayanan said at a function held to mark the state's 52nd anniversary here.