National housing scheme named after Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

Union minister for urban development M Venkaiah Naidu announced in Gandhinagar on Thursday that the central government has prepared a blueprint for the new urban housing scheme, to be called 'Sardar Patel National Housing Mission'.

Union minister for urban development M Venkaiah Naidu announced in Gandhinagar on Thursday that the central government has prepared a blueprint for the new urban housing scheme, to be called 'Sardar Patel National Housing Mission'.

"Our PM Narendra Modi gave us a target to provide houses to all the citizens by 2022. I am happy to announce today that our government has decided to name our 'Housing For All by 2022' initiative after the distinguished son of our country Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The scheme will be called Sardar Patel National Urban Housing Mission," Naidu said.

He was invited to Gandhinagar by the Gujarat government as chief guest for 'Municipalika', a three-day seminar-cum-exhibition organised at Mahatma Mandir.

Giving details about the initiative, Naidu said that the government is focusing on weaker sections while framing policies. According to him, policy framing is in its final stage and it will be sent for cabinet approval soon.

"Through this scheme, we will concentrate on providing houses to weaker sections and Low Income Group (LIG) citizens. We have also made provisions to give tax incentives to those who are unable to buy their own houses," Naidu said.

Naidu claimed that the Centre would give some tax incentives in the form of a lump-sum amount to be given to people who have taken home loans.

"For those who are not capable of buying homes, the Centre plans to give them tax incentives on interest rates charged by banks on loans. Some percentage of that interest will be given by the government. That amount will be given at once, which will ease the burden of the loan," Naidu said.

Moreover, Naidu also announced a new scheme in place of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) for the development of cities in India.

"To improve the governance in 500 cities in India, we will launch a new mission in place of the JNNURM shortly. Earlier, we had announced that 10 heritage cities would be developed in the budget. Framing of rules and regulations is also in its final stage," he added.