Promise of slum-free India in 5 years

Urban india gave the Congress a huge win in the recently held general elections. And now, it’s time for the party to pay back the debt. Vikas Pathak reports.

Urban india gave the Congress a huge win in the recently held general elections. And now, it’s time for the party to pay back the debt.

HT Image

Unveiling her 100-day agenda on Wednesday, Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation Minister Kumari Selja said the government’s top priority was to make the cities slum-free in five years.

In order to do this, the Centre is launching the Rajiv Awas Yojana, a scheme under which it will offer funds to state governments on condition that they give property rights to slum-dwellers in addition to developing infrastructure and civic services in slums. The government believes this will help cities develop a capacity for sustained growth.

“Hopefully, before the end of 100 days, the Rajiv Awas Yojana will be unveiled,” Selja said.
How the slums are to be developed under the scheme will be left to the states.