Almost two years after it was first announced, the housing and urban poverty alleviation (HUPA) ministry is said to be ready with the first pilot project under the Rajiv Awas Yojana that aims to make the cities slum-free. A grant of `6,000 crores for the project, entailing construction of two lakh housing units, is likely to be approved by the Union Cabinet in the near future.
However, the pre-requisite for the project to be implemented is that the states, where this project would be implemented, will have to grant property rights to the beneficiaries. Although, the ministry has put a model legislation in this regard to be followed up by the states, such statutes are still only in progress. Nevertheless, quite a few states, including Bihar, and cities like Pune and others have shown interest in the flagship programme.
As per the pilot project proposals, the housing units with basic facilities will be constructed at various places all across the country.
These housing units, besides having power and water supply facilities, will also have a separate bathroom, lavatory and kitchen facilities, apart from two living rooms.
Last year, while presenting the Budget, Union finance minister Pranab Mukherjee had said that the time had come for launching the RAY and increased its budget to around `1,200 crores.
However, the grant of `6,000 crores is expected to be part of the 11th Five-Year Plan (FYP) itself. More grants may follow in the next FYP.
The funding pattern for RAY calls for the Centre bearing 50 per cent of the cost of construction, while the rest will have to be shared by the state government, the urban local body and the beneficiary.