Urban housing policy to focus on OBCs, minorities

The Government has for the first time put thrust on housing needs for the minorities and OBCs in its new Urban Housing and Habitat Policy.

The Government has for the first time put thrust on housing needs for the minorities and OBCs in its new Urban Housing and Habitat Policy. The previous policy, which was in existence since 1998, had a peripheral mention of giving housing for SCs and STs, but this time there is a special emphasis on SCs, STs, OBCs, minorities and women.

With the focus on “affordable housing for all”, which is different from the previous policy’s “shelter to all”, the new policy—tabled in Parliament on Friday—lays emphasis on reserving a certain percentage of land or floor area for the service-providers as well.

“At least 10 to 15 per cent of land in every new public-private housing projects or 20-25 per cent Floor Area Ratio, whichever is greater, would be reserved for the housing of economically weaker sections through appropriate spatial incentives,” Housing Minister Kumari Selja said on Friday. The policy also envisages increased public-private partnership in the sector and encourages integrated townships.

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“The urban housing shortage has been estimated at about 24.7 million units at the end of the 10th Five Year Plan and 99 pc of the shortage pertains to the economically weaker sections and low income groups,” she said.

Emphasis has also been laid on urban planning, increased supply of land, use of spatial incentives like additional Floor Area Ratio, transferable development rights and increased flow of funds, she said.

The plan also envisages for the private sector to be permitted land assembly within the purview of master plans and action plans for urban slum dwellers and special package for cooperative housing. The policy would now be forwarded to the states and the Centre would be ready to provide any kind of assistance needed, she said. The Centre has also set up a special monitoring committee for the implementation of the plan and states would also be asked to do the same.

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