(a): whether a scheme called ‘Urban Statistics for Human Resource and Assessments’ (USHA) is implemented by the Union Government;
(b): if so, the aim and objectives of the said scheme;
(c): the details of financial and physical targets fixed under the said scheme during the
XI Five Year Plan, State-wise; and
(d): the details of target so far achieved under the said scheme; and
(e): the extent to which the objectives of the said scheme has been achieved during the current plan so far?
MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN POVERTY ALLEVIATION (KUMARI SELJA)
(a) and (b): The Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation is implementing the Central Scheme of
‘Urban Statistics for Human Resource and Assessments (USHA)’ which aims at the development and maintenance
of national database, MIS and knowledge repository relating to urban poverty, slums, housing, construction
and other urbanization-related statistics in line with the national emphasis of strengthening statistical
base of policies and programmes. Its key objective is to support the Ministry of Housing & Urban Poverty
Alleviation and other Ministries with an information base and knowledge inputs for the purpose of planning,
policy-making, project design, formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, particularly in the
context of programmes relating to urban poverty, slums and housing.
(c) to (e): The Scheme is a Central Sector Scheme and no State wise physical and financial targets were
fixed under the same. During its implementation in the 11th Plan period, various activities have been
taken up under the Scheme as listed below:
(i) Establishment of Data Centre and MIS on Urban Poverty, Slums, Housing, Building Construction and related
Urbanization Statistics at NBO;
(ii) Support to State Governments / UT Administrations for computerization of construction and other
urbanisation-related statistics;
(iii) National (Knowledge) Resource Centre for Urban Poverty, Slums, etc. with a research team supporting
activities leading to major technical assistance projects for the Ministry and support to the effective
implementation of JNNURM;
(iv) Development of Housing Start-Up Index (HSUI) in collaboration with Reserve bank of India (RBI);
(v) Slum/Slum Household/Livelihoods surveys in urban areas of the country;
(vi) Socio-Economic Research Studies in the areas of Urban Poverty, Slums, Housing and related matters;
(vii) Capacity Building & Training in areas of Urban Poverty, Slums, Housing & Building Construction
Statistics, including e-applications.
Under one of its components, funds were released to States/Union Territories for conduct of Slum/Slum
Household/Livelihoods Profile surveys. The details of funds released to States/Union Territories for
conduct of Slum/Slum Household/Livelihoods Profile survey are at Annexure-I. All State Governments to
whom funds have been released have initiated action for the conduct slum surveys, including training
in survey methodology and survey operations.