With revamp of urban infrastructure among the top priorities of the UPA-2 government, finance minister Pranab Mukherjee has enhanced the budget of its flagship programme - Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission - to pump in a whopping Rs. 12,887 crore for urban renewal & Rs. 3,973 crore for its grand vision of "making Indian slum free in 5 years".
The final allocation for 2009-10 is around Rs. 1,000 crore more than the Rs. 11,842 crore set aside for urban renewal in the interim budget. This is quit a jump from Rs. 6,247 crore aloocated in the 2008-09 budget, which had gone up to Rs. 10,447.98 crore in revised estimates.
With more & more people moving into city slums, urban renewal has become a naccessity of sorts. In the government's view, substantial investment in this sector is key maintaining India's high growth & protecting the economy from global recession.
A special allocation of Rs. 3,973 crore has been made to meet the spiralling housing need of the vulnerable sections. There's currently a shortage of 2.6 crore housing units, 98% for which is for economically weaker & low income groups.
While rebuilding urban infrastructure, the Centre is also pushing its reform agenda, including repeal of the urban land ceiling repeal of the urban land ceiling act, reform of rent control laws, a push for reasonable user charges & rationalization of stamp duty - all aimed at reviving municipal governance. The huge money made available under the scheme has forced unwilling states totoe this agenda.
The government clearly sees urban renewal as an important social and economic intervention for improving the quality of life of slum-dwellers & the poor. Under the Rajiv Awas Yojna announced by the President, the centre wants to ensure housing & basic services to slum-dwellers. In the interim budget, a special allocation of Rs. 5,000 crore for this purpose.
No comments:
Post a Comment