Govt to construct one lakh dwellings for poor

New Delhi, Apr 25 (UNI) The Centre will construct one lakh dwelling units in the national capital for the poor over the next two years.

''We will build the units for the poor. They can be high rise buildings... Even they must get a place to live,'' Union Urban Development Minister Jaipal Reddy said at the inauguration of an Delhi Urban Art Commission exhibition here.

Mr Reddy said even the poor have the right to live in the city and they must be provided ''living space''.

''They also contribute towards the growth of the city and are a vital part of our society. They must not be thrown out...The rich and the poor can live side by side and work for the growth of Delhi,'' he added.

He said India is an emerging global power and its capital must be a model city.

The Urban Development Minister sought public and private participation for development and beautification of Delhi.

''For Delhi to become a model city, all the groups and sections will have to come together and work for it. The recommendations and collective wisdom of think tanks would also be explored to achieve that,'' he said.

''I am for conservation of the original Lutyens Delhi which was a beautiful city,'' he added.

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