Realtors Plan Low Cost Housing for Poor

May 30, 2009	(Be the first to rate this story!)  Loading ...
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The private sector real estate players must reset their priorities so as to provide low-cost housing to the middle class and the poor. S Jaipal Reddey made the pint clear while taking charge of the urban ministry for the second consecutive term here on Friday.

“The private sector, which is a major player in the housing sector, must reset its priorities. So far, they had been building apartments for the rich. They must now concentrate on providing accommodation for the middle class and the poor,” Mr Reddy told newspersons after taking over the reins of the ministry.

It’s a measure of the recognition of the good work done by him during his first stint in the Nirman Bhawan that the Congress leadership was constrained to ask him to continue shepherding the urban development ministry. The senior Congress leader, who romped home comfortably from the Chelvella Lok Sabha seat in Andhra Pradesh, spelt out his priorities for the next five years.

Admitting that the Centre found itself hamstrung in the housing sector as land was a state subject, Mr Reddy said he would speak to state governments to consider providing land for housing the poor and the middle class. Among other things, his priority is to complete the task of drafting the bill seeking to create an urban regulatory authority for Delhi. “Once we have legislated, it’ll be a model legislation for other states,” he said, adding the ministry had tread cautiously on this matter as “any regulator can also be an obstructor”.

“We must, therefore, evolve a proper shape so that the interests of the consumers are protected,” the minister remarked . The ministry, Mr Reddy told newspersons, was also in the process of negotiating a $3-billion World Bank loan to supplement the efforts of JNURM for creating a better urban inclusive environment. The amount, he said, would be utilised to improve drinking water, sewerage, sanitation and public transportation.

The minister said: “There are still certain issues pertaining to ceiling which need to be addressed. We had taken a few initiatives in the past couple of years. The people appreciated our efforts. That’s why they voted for us twice in past few months.”

The ministry, he added, would also strive to improve infrastructure services. “Our endeavour will be to add to the initiatives taken in this direction by the Delhi government,” he said. The ministry, Mr Reddy added, was also keen on taking the metro to other major cities and expanding its network in Delhi.

News Published Under:   Real Estate India, Property Prices |

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