Centre to come out with new Urban Housing Policy

Bangalore, May 24 (UNI) The UPA Government will come out with a new Urban Housing Policy to ensure shelter to the poor and downtrodden living in cities and towns, Union Minister of State for Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation Kumari Selja, said today.

"Under the Policy it is proposed to earmark 15 per cent of land for Economically Weaker Section and 25 per cent of the houses constructed under various Centre and State projects reserved for poor people having low income", she added.

Stating that Public and Private participation was a must for success of any mission, she said that private sector should be made to contribute for the successful implementation of the Policy. The State Governments should evolve methods to rope in private sector.

"When huge projects are taken up by the private sector, can't they contribute a little to the poor," she asked.

Replying to a question, she said that the Draft of the policy was ready and it may be notified anytime.

Ms Selja said that the Delhi Development Authority has taken a lead by involving private sector in implementation of various housing projects and other States should also follow the suit.

Earlier laying foundation stone for construction of 1000 houses at a cost of Rs 15.21 crore under Jawaharlal National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) and distributing 163 houses constructed by Karnataka Slum Clearance Board, she said that the State government's should maintain utmost transparency while selecting the beneficiaries.

The Minister called upon the State Governments to take full advantage of various schemes introduced by the Union Government and ensure that poor and downtrodden were provided shelter.

She said that urbanisation is increasing at a faster pace in developing world. In India, over 300 million people are living in urban areas.

Stating that there was overwhelming response from the States since launch of JNNURM in 2005, she said that more than 1000 projects have been approved all over the country with a total project cost of over Rs 35,000 Crore and Central government share being Rs 19,778 Crore.

Ms Selja said that the Union Government was committed to improve the living conditions of the urban poor and slum dwellers. "Let the Governments, NGOs, CBOs, private sector and citizen forums work together to achieve the goal", she added.

UNI