In a written reply in the Lok Sabha today she said, the Government launched the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) on December 3, 2005 aimed at provision of city-wide infrastructure and basic services to the urban poor especially slum dwellers. Under the Basic Services for the Urban Poor component of JNNURM, Additional Central Assistance is provided to 65 select cities of national importance for undertaking affordable housing and basic amenities to the poor especially those residing in slums. Similar facilities are provided in small and medium towns under Integrated Housing and Slum Development Programme (IHSDP) of JNNURM.

She said, in pursuance of the address of the President of India, to both Houses of Parliament in June 2009 and the address of Prime Minister on Independence Day, in which the Government’s vision of a “Slum Free India” was announced, the Government has launched the preparatory phase of Rajiv Awas Yojana (RAY) supporting States for activities like slum Survey, GIS mapping of slums, preparation of slum free City and State Plans etc.