Affordable housing scheme from NAREDCO

New Delhi, Jun 13: Punjab Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal has strongly supported NAREDCO's President Rohtas Goel's mission on affordable housing during an interactive session organised by the National Real Estate Development Council (NAREDCO), the real estate industry body. The interactive session was attended by the top management from DLF, Omaxe, NAFHIL (National Affordable Housing Infrastructure Limited), Unitech, Ansal, Somdutt, Eldeco, Emaar-MGF, TDI, Raheja, Mahindra, Sun City, PACL, Alpha G:Corp and Parsvnath Developers.

"The government in the centre has never discussed this problem but we do agree that this is serious. I want to discuss policies to provide houses for those who cannot afford it and do not have money to repay loans," said Badal.

He also mentioned that a committee should be formed to give concessions to the builders if they build houses for poor especially in rural areas.

"The main problem lies in villages, they don't have technical know-how to construct house," he further added.

Badal asked Goel to organise winter session of NAREDCO under a tree in a village in Punjab, to understand the grass root problems for housing.

Goel presented his expert opinions to Badal and other dignitaries. He also shared solution model on affordable housing with the audience.

"Correcting a large scale of housing shortage cannot be met with good intentions alone. Today is the time when State governments should come out with concrete methodology, facilitating housing on large scale. We are hopeful, that this session will put across all the factors that can bring about a catalytic change in the housing scenario and make it affordable to all", said Goel.

On behalf of NAREDCO, Goel requested to the Chief Minister that, "Changes or levies of any kind should not be imposed on the developers. CLU, conversion charges, license fee, EDC, stamp duty, sales tax on material etc. should be removed in order to make Affordable Housing possible. Affordable housing projects should be funded by State Finance Corporation and Microfinance should be channelised to those in actual need."

Senior bureaucrats from the government of Punjab and speakers from public and private sector from the housing scenario present during the session organized by NAREDCO called for a joint effort with the CM Punjab to come out with concrete plans for houses for all scheme.

The interactive session organized by NAREDCO served as a platform to present the views of the industry leaders and to discuss the best possible ways to tackle the problem in minimum time.

ANI