Here is the text of the statement issued by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation, Government of India:

For the first time in the history of the country, the Union Government laid focus on providing “makaan” to the common man in cities and towns. The Union Government conceived and embarked upon a massive programme of affordable housing and basic amenities to the urban poor under the fiagship programme, Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), launched in December 2005.

Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation (MoHUPA) had so far sanctioned more than 15.5 lakh houses for the urban poor in the country under JNNURM. Now, another scheme called Affordable Housing in Partnership to encourage partnerships between Government agencies, parastatals, local bodies and the private developers has been launched. Under this new scheme, another 10 lakh houses, not only covering EWS and LIG but also MIG are being targeted for covering the housing shortage in the country which is 24.7 million as on 2007.

Under JNNURM, Govt. of India supports 4 programmes. Urban Infrastructure & Governance and Basic Services to the Urban Poor cover 65 identified cities. Urban Infrastructure schemes for Small & Medium Towns and Integrated Housing & Slum Development Programme focus on Small and medium towns.

MoHUPA has sanctioned 1419 projects for housing and basic amenities to the urban poor, including slum-dwellers worth Rs. 36000 Crore. Additional Central Assistance of about Rs.19,889 Crores has been committed. JNNURM will come with ownership of house in the name of the wife or husband and wife jointly and with provision of basic services such as water, sanitation, social security, education and healthcare. The poor will be enabled to attain the same quality of life as the other population of the city.

Union Government has resolved to introduce a new scheme called Rajiv Awas Yojna for the slum dwellers and the urban poor. The Rajiv Awas Yojna (RAY) would extend support to States/UTs that are willing to assign property rights to people living in slum areas. UPA Government's effort would be to create a Slum free India through the Rajiv Awas Yojna as early as possible. The Rajiv Awas Yojna will provide a new RAY of hope for our cities and towns, especially to the poor, slum-dwellers and disadvantaged sections of the urban society.

State Governments have been requested to work out Slum-free State and Slum Free City Plans where all the poor residents would own a home and access basic services so that all the slum dwellers are provided with property rights and enabled to lead a life with dignity.

Progress of Implementation of JNNURM (BSUP & IHSDP) in Chandigarh

Ø 2 projects with outlay of Rs. 564.94 Crores approved for Chandigarh under BSUP.

Ø Total Central share of Rs. 396.13 crores committed out of which Central Assistance (ACA) of Rs. 188.94 crores released for construction of 25728 dwelling units including basic amenities like water supply, sewerage, road/streets, drainage, community centre and community toilets.

Ø Out of the total dwelling units sanctioned, 12864 units are completed/in progress.

Ø Chandigarh has already availed its 7-Year Mission period allocation commitment from the Centre.

Progress of Implementation of JNNURM (BSUP & IHSDP) in Haryana

Ø 20 projects with outlay of Rs.336.49 crores approved for 1 mission city under BSUP (Faridabad) & 14 cities/town under IHSDP.

Ø Total Central share of Rs. 240.88 crores committed by the Centre out of which Central Assistance (ACA) of Rs. 128.23 crores released for construction of 3248 dwelling units under BSUP and 16426 dwelling units under IHSDP including basic amenities like water supply, sewerage, road/streets, drainage, community center and community toilets.

Ø Out of the total of 19674 dwelling units sanctioned, 9535 units are completed/in progress.

Ø Haryana has already availed its 7 year Mission period allocation commitment from the Centre.

Progress of Implementation of JNNURM (BSUP & IHSDP) in Punjab

Ø 5 projects with outlay of Rs.135.85 crores approved for 2 mission cities under DBUP (Ludhiana & Amritsar) & 2 cities/towns under IHSDP.

Ø Total Central share of Rs.69.92 crores committed out of which Central Assistance (ACA) of Rs.33.37 crores released for construction of 5152 dwelling units under BSUP and 4658 dwelling units under IHSDP including basic amenities like water supply, sewerage, road/streets, drainage, community center and community toilets.

Ø Out of the total of 9810 dwelling units sanctioned, 4112 units are completed/in progress.

Ø Against the 7 year allocation of Central Assistance of Rs.617.02 Crores, Punjab is yet to avail Rs.547.10 Crores.