Minister of Urban Development and Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation M.Venkaiah Naidu today said that “The baton of urban transformation in the country is now in the hands of the States and Urban Local Bodies after the launch of the three new urban missions by the Prime Minister yesterday. It is for you to take it forward. The Central Government has done its bit by formulating the new Missions after extensive consultations with you and based on your views and suggestions”. During his concluding remarks at the end of the two day long consultations today, Shri Naidu said that States have been given full freedom in designing, approving and execution of projects under the new missions and States and Urban Local Bodies should now rise to the occasion. He has in particular, urged the State Governments to strengthen Urban Local Bodies by transferring funds and functionaries and enhancing their administrative, planning and technical capacities.
Naidu stressed that focus should be on revenue generation and urban reforms to meet the aspirations of the citizens under new urban missions. He observed that “Urban transformation as being intended would be a major game changer for the country and the people”.The Minister of Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation has specifically urged the States and ULBs to strive more to ensure housing for all the urban poor by the year 2022. Stating that own house is an essential pre-requisite for decent living, Shri Naidu explained the Operational Guidelines for the Mission which provide for flexibility to States to make it a success. He referred to provision of an unprecedented interest subvention of 6.50% for Economically Weaker Sections and Low Income Groups as an indication of central government’s commitment to help urban poor own houses.Referring to mandatory registration of houses built under the mission either in the name of woman or jointly with husbands, the Minister said that this is being done since women would never think of selling house unlike men.