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National Urban Housing and Habitat Policy 2007

National Urban Housing and Habitat Policy 2007 tabled in Parliament; focus on affordable housing for urban poor news

The National Urban Housing & Habitat Policy 2007 seeks to promote various types of public-private partnerships for realising the goal of affordable housing for all with special emphasis on the urban poor. This was stated by Kumari Selja the minister of state for housing and urban poverty alleviation, while briefing media persons, after tabling the policy in both houses of the Parliament here today.

The minister said that the new policy has been formulated keeping in view the changing socio-economic parameters of the urban area and growing requirement of shelter and related infrastructure .

Elaborating on the policy Kumari Selja further said that this policy intended to promote sustainable development of habitat in the country with a view to ensuring equitable supply of land, shelter and services at affordable prices to all sections of society.

Given the magnitude of the housing shortage and budgetary constraints of both the Central and State Governments, the National Urban Housing and Habitat Policy, 2007 focuses the spotlight on multiple stake-holders including the private sector, the cooperative sector, the industrial sector for labour housing and the services/ institutional sector for employee housing.

In this manner, the Policy will seek to promote various types of public-private partnerships for realising the goal of "affordable housing for all," she emphasised.

Detailing the procedure followed for formulating the new policy she said that the formulation of the National Housing Policy was an ongoing process which started in 1986. The policy was last revised in 1998 and since then there had been major changes in habitat and human settlement issues. Particularly, the urban housing sector has been facing emerging challenges with regard to availability of affordable shelter, growth of slums, and gaps in provision of basic services to the urban poor.

Urban housing shortage has been estimated at about 24.7 million units at the end of the 10th Five Year Plan (2006-07). 99 per cent of the shortage pertains to economically weaker sections (EWS) and low income groups (LIG) categories. The minister said that all these aspects were considered in a conference of housing ministers'''' of state and union territories in November 2004 where it was decided to update the policy with emphasis on urban housing and improved habitat.

A task force was constituted in January 2005 and a National Urban Housing and Habitat Policy was drafted. This was circulated amongst various stake holders. Based on wide ranging inputs received, the National Urban Housing and Habitat Policy, 2007 had been finalised and laid in Parliament today.

The salient features of the National Urban Housing & Habitat Policy, 2007 are:

• Focus of the Policy is on affordable urban housing with special emphasis on the urban poor
• Role of Housing and provision of basic services to the urban poor has been integrated into the objectives of the Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM)
• Special emphasis has been laid on scheduled castes / tribes / backward classes / minorities, empowerment of women within the ambit of the urban poor
• The policy focuses on a symbiotic development of rural and urban areas in line with the objectives of the 74th Constitution Amendment Act
• Within the overarching goal of "Affordable Housing for All," emphasis has been laid on urban planning, increase supply of land, use of spatial incentives like additional Floor Area Ratio (FAR), Transferable Development Rights, etc., increased flow of funds, healthy environment, effective solid waste management and use of renewal sources of energy
• Encouraging integrated townships and special economic zones
• Between 10 per cent and15 per cent of land in every new public / private housing projects or 20 per cent to 25 per cent FAR whichever is greater to be reserved for EWS/LIG Housing through appropriate spatial incentives
• Private Sector to be permitted land assembly within the purview of master plans. action plans for urban slum dwellers and special package for cooperative housing, labour housing and employees housing is to be prepared
• States to be advised to develop 10 years perspective plan for housing of economically weaker sections and low income groups
• Policy gives primacy to provision of shelter to urban poor at their present location or near their work place
• Approach will be in-situ slum rehabilitation. Relocation will be considered only in specific cases
• Micro finance institutions to be promoted at state level to expedite flow of finances to urban poor
• Model municipal laws to be prepared by the central government
• Detailed city maps to be prepared based on GIS, aerial survey and ground verification
• Use of proven cost effective technology and building materials to be encouraged
• Development of mass rapid transit system at sub-regional level envisaged
• Green cover for cities to be encouraged for balanced ecological development.
• All States to be encouraged to develop a "habitat infrastructure action plan" for all cities with a population of over one lakh.

The action plan stated in the National Urban Housing & Habitat Policy, 2007:

Encouragement and support to be provided to state governments by the central government for preparation of state urban housing and habitat policy and action plan

State / union territories'' action plans to focus on accelerated flow of funds

State / union territories level policy to provide road map for institutional, legal and financial incentives.

State / union territories'' plans to indicate concrete steps for encouraging a participatory approach

Periodic review of implementation of Policy and Action Plan at State level to be carried out

Preparation of 15-20 years perspective plans in the form of City Development Plans (CDPs) based on spatial planning at the city level

Setting up a high level monitoring committee for periodic review and implementation of the policy and for making amendments, modifications wherever considered necessary.

Check out the links given below for more details :

http://www.domain-b.com/economy/general/20071207_urban_housing.html

http://www.mhupa.gov.in

Help Line Number

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You have the Power to Change

How to Exercise your Right WITHOUT Voting for Corrupt
Politicians!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Did you know that there is a system in our constitution, as per the 1969 act, in section "49-O" that a person can go to the polling booth, confirm his identity, get his finger marked and convey the presiding election officer that he doesn't want to vote anyone!

Yes such a feature is available, but obviously these seemingly notorious leaders have never disclosed it. This is called "49-O".

Why should you go and say "I VOTE NOBODY"... because, in a ward, if a candidate wins, say by 123 votes, and that particular ward has received "49-O" votes more than 123, then that polling will be cancelled and will have to be re-polled. Not only that, but the candidature of the contestants will be removed and they cannot contest the re-polling, since people had already expressed their decision on them. This would bring fear into parties and hence look for genuine candidates for their parties for election. This would change the way, of our whole political system... it is seemingly surprising why the election commission has not revealed such a feature to the public....

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Save India - its in your hand

Hi Everyone...!

I received a forwarded email with the subject "A LETTER TO THE PRIME MINISTER" I dont know whoever is written it, but I would like to appreciate him and want to let him know, I totally agree with what he has written. I dont know whether you guys got this email or not... that's the reason I have blogged it so tht everyone can read it and open your eyes against this violence....

Please read the following message and I would appreciate if you give your opinion...

Dear Mr. Prime minister

I am a typical mouse from Mumbai. In the local train compartment which has capacity of 100 persons, I travel with 500 more mice. Mouse at least squeak but we don't even do that.
Today I heard your speech. In which you said 'NO BODY WOULD BE SPARED'. I would like to remind you that fourteen years has passed since serial bomb blast in Mumbai took place. Dawood was the main conspirator. Till today he is not caught. All our bollywood actors, our builders, our Gutka king meets him but your Government can not catch him. Reason is simple; all your ministers are hand in glove with him. If any attempt is made to catch him everybody will be exposed. Your statement 'NOBODY WOULD BE SPARED' is nothing but a cruel joke on this unfortunate people of India.
Enough is enough. As such after seeing terrorist attack carried out by about a dozen young boys I realize that if same thing continues days are not away when terrorist will attack by air, destroy our nuclear reactor and there will be one more Hiroshima.
We the people are left with only one mantra. Womb to Bomb to Tomb. You promised Mumbaikar Shanghai what you have given us is Jalianwala Baug.
Today only your home minister resigned. What took you so long to kick out this joker? Only reason was that he was loyal to Gandhi family. Loyalty to Gandhi family is more important than blood of innocent people, isn't it?
I am born and bought up in Mumbai for last fifty eight years. Believe me corruption in Maharashtra is worse than that in Bihar. Look at all the politician, Sharad Pawar, Chagan Bhujbal, Narayan Rane, Bal Thackray , Gopinath Munde, Raj Thackray, Vilasrao Deshmukh all are rolling in money. Vilasrao Deshmukh is one of the worst Chief minister I have seen. His only business is to increase the FSI every other day, make money and send it to Delhi so Congress can fight next election. Now the clown has found new way and will increase FSI for fisherman so they can build concrete house right on sea shore. Next time terrorist can comfortably live in those house , enjoy the beauty of sea and then attack the Mumbai at their will.
Recently I had to purchase house in Mumbai. I met about two dozen builders. Everybody wanted about 30% in black. A common person like me knows this and with all your intelligent agency & CBI you and your finance minister are not aware of it. Where all the black money goes? To the underworld isn't it? Our politicians take help of these goondas to vacate people by force. I myself was victim of it. If you have time please come to me, I will tell you everything.
If this has been land of fools, idiots then I would not have ever cared to write you this letter. Just see the tragedy, on one side we are reaching moon, people are so intelligent and on other side you politician has converted nectar into deadly poison. I am everything Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Schedule caste, OBC, Muslim OBC, Christian Schedule caste, Creamy Schedule caste only what I am not is INDIAN. You politician have raped every part of mother India by your policy of divide and rule.
Take example of former president Abdul Kalam. Such a intelligent person, such a fine human being. You politician didn't even spare him. Your party along with opposition joined the hands, because politician feels they are supreme and there is no place for good person.
Dear Mr Prime minister you are one of the most intelligent person, most learned person. Just wake up, be a real SARDAR. First and foremost expose all selfish politicians. Ask Swiss bank to give name of all Indian account holder. Give reins of CBI to independent agency. Let them find wolf among us. There will be political upheaval but that will better than dance of death which we are witnessing every day. Just give us ambient where we can work honestly and without fear. Let there be rule of law. Everything else will be taken care of. Choice is yours Mr. Prime Minister. Do you want to be lead by one person or you want to lead the nation of 100 Crore people?

Come on Guys wake up kill the terrorism in you and do something for the people who are in need and trouble instead of fighting for caste and religion, instead of shedding blood of innocent peoples shed your blood for the unity. See things from other people’s perspective so that you can empathize with their struggles and offer a helping hand and a listening ear. Care for those who find life too much to handle. Be more compassionate and patient toward the innocent people. Let all the people live a peaceful life, be friendly to everyone. These politicians just create violence among the innocent people and watch the bloodshed and enjoying. Inspite of knowing everything why you people are still blind...? If you fight against your own state, against your own country.. How long it will take your enemies to destroy you and your country. One of the biggest proofs is Mumbai’s attack...!

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