EMN
Dimapur, October 26
Amid the current push to create ‘smart cities’ including one for Nagaland, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation will discuss with the states the policy measures being taken by them to promote affordable housing projects for the benefit of Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) and Low Income Groups (LIG).
The ministry has organized a National Workshop on ‘Model State Urban Housing and Habitat Policy: Decisive Roadmap for Achieving Housing for All’, which would be conducted on October 27 in New Delhi.
A few days ago, the Ministry of Urban Development had approved the first batch of state level Action Plans under Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) aimed at enabling water supply as per the norm and providing water supply and sewerage connections to all urban households.
Two towns in Nagaland are included among the 89.
An inter-ministerial Apex Committee of AMRUT chaired by Madhusudhan Prasad, Secretary(Urban Development) had on October 23 cleared plans worth Rs.2,786.28 crore in this regard for 89 cities in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, and Rajasthan yesterday.
This is for the first time that the Urban Development Ministry approved state level plans unlike the past practice of appraising and approving individual projects.
The ministry has asked the states to created affordable housing policies to comprehensively address issues affecting creation of affordable housing stock by laying out an enabling environment for various stakeholders to participate in housing projects for EWS and LIG. Action taken in this regard and experiences of ten states in promoting affordable housing stock will be discussed at the proposed workshop.
The Governments of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, who will give an account of the initiatives being taken them by them at the workshop have proposed total waiver of Stamp Duty for affordable housing projects in respective states.
In the Draft Affordable Housing Policy of Andhra Pradesh, presented to the Ministry of HUPA, the state government has also proposed waiver of land conversion fee, infrastructure development charges, building plan approval fee, registration fee and betterment charges to promote affordable housing for EWS and LIG besides relaxation in Floor Area Ratio (FAR).
Telangana Government has also proposed similar measures. To encourage private investments in affordable housing, it has proposed twice the normal FAR besides 0.50% additional FAR for timely completion of such projects.
Both the states have proposed earmarking of 25% of government land available with urban local bodies for housing for EWS and LIG. The two states also envisaged single window clearance for approving housing projects in 60 days.
Telangana Government has also proposed in its policy, construction by state agencies of houses/flats on rental-cum-ownership basis on the lines of Singapore Model by adopting new initiatives like ‘Equity Building’ and ‘Rent Cum Ownership’ basis, especially for low income segments. Under this model, house/flat allotted to EWS/LIG household will be transferred in the name of the individual after ensuring 100% equity over a period of 10-15 years.
Such individuals will have the option to sell house/flat but only to the state government agency who will then offer the same to EWS/LIG households in waiting list. Private sector also will be encouraged to build rental housing stock with appropriate government support for the benefit of migrants.
Such initiatives and experiences of other states will be discussed for the benefit of all other states and stakeholders besides the expectations of industry from affordable housing policies of States.
Under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) launched in June this year, about 2 crore houses are to be built in urban areas by the year 2022 to ensure housing for all. Out of this, 96% is meant for EWS and LIG households. Central government has proposed to extend assistance in the range of Rs.1.00 lakh to Rs.2.30 lakhs per each dwelling unit to be built under PMAY.
