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Title : Further discussion on the resolution moved by Dr. Laxminarayan Pandey on 2nd June,1998 regarding National Housing Policy. (Contd.- Not Concluded)
[English]
MR. CHAIRMAN : Now, we will take up further discussion on the Resolution moved by Dr. Laxminarayan Pandey on the 2nd June, 1998. Dr. T. Subbarami Reddy.
DR. T. SUBBARAMI REDDY (ViSAKHAPATNAM) : Sir, after 50 years of Independence, we find that the conditions of the people are most miserable in the country, particularly in the rural areas. When we go to the slums and villages, we get actually tears in our eyes after seeing the pathetic condition of the people who are living in huts, under the trees and in the platforms. We see their tragic life in the modern society
of our country. 15.31 hrs.
(Shri Khagapati Pradhani in the Chair)
If we see the statistics, we will find that there is a shortage of 33 million units out of which there is a snortage of 23.5 million units in the rural areas and 9.5
million units in the urban areas. But surprisingly, even though in the First Plan about 35 per cent was allocated for housing, it was gradually reduced to a large
extent. In fact, in the Seventh Plan, it had came down to 9.6 per cent and in the Eighth Plan it had came down to 12.2 per cent. I do not know how it is going to be in the Ninth Plan. So, this is the situation we find in the country.
From the very beginning, we have been dreaming of Hoti, Kapda aur Makan in this sovereign country. Every citizen should be provided with drinking water nearer to his house. However, wo have not been able to provide drinking water to 70 to 80 per cent poor people of this country. Then, what is the solution? What is the methodology? How is the Government going to do it? We know that our Government definitely cannot afford to provide this to all the needy people overnight, but still when there is determination, dedication, concentration, devotion, planning and practical approach, we can always achieve magnificent results. If we do it in a very systematic and planned way, we can achieve good results.
I really weicome our hon. Minister’s idea of modifying urban land ceiling because the most important issue now is the availability oi land. Secondly to construct houses, money is required. Even though we have got lakhs of hectares of surplus land available in the country, because of this law, which has been struck up for more than three decades, nothing is moving.
Now, the time has come when drinking water isavailable, but the poor man cannot drink. He will be dying. What is the use? Therefore, we must use modern science, modern technology, and modern philosophy in a practical way to see that it is modified suitably to meet the present needs, and also to see that land is made available to all the needy people in India in such a way that they can construct more houses for the future of this country.
I would like to give one more good suggestion, in my opinion not only municipalities and corporations but also panchayats should be involved in identifying the surplus land. For instance, in villages and also in cities like Visakhapatnam, we find that so much of land is available. It is under the control of municipalities, corporations or some district collectors. So, now, the local ML As, MPs, panchayats and also sarpanches must take an active part. They should be involved by the Government, to see that they take active part wherever the land is available. Now, how to do it? Suppose a land belongs to the Government. They must fix a nominal rate for that land and see that it is givento a poor man. The hon. Prime Minister, under his dynamic leadership, must try and see that the. land is made available to the poor people in various ways. Not only the method of Urban Land Ceiling but other methods are also there. There is so much land belonging to Government and various .other agencies still available. This must be made available to the poor people at a very reasonable and nominal rate. That is mv first suggestion.
The second point that I would like to make is that we cannot expect the Government to provide money for cQnstf-ucting all the houses. So, the Government must involve banks, financial institutions and also private agencies to provide financial assistance to the poor people. I am happy that the Government is thinking of inviting direct foreign investment in order to encourage the construction of houses. That is a very good step but the Government should act seriously and inspire them, stimulate them and make them invest here and see that more houses come up.
Indira Awas Yojna is a good scheme started by the Congress Government a long time back, but today we need some improvement in the Scheme. When the Government is planning to make 20 lakh extra houses available, we fear how they are going to make the money available for it. Of course, they did not clearly mentioned how they are going to give it, but if they increase the funds for the Indira Awas Yojana substantially, the things will definitely improve.