Question : NATIONAL SLUM POLICY

(a) whether the Union Government propose to introduce a National Slum Policy;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the new National Slum Policy has been drafted;

(d) if so, the salient features thereof;

(e) the date by which the said Policy is likely to be finalized;

(f) whether a two pronged strategy is likely to be adopted to tackle the problems of slums and their dwellers;

(g) if so, the details thereof;

(h) the States and cities likely to be covered under the new policy and the financial implecation involved therein;

(i) whether the Government of NCT of Delhi has opposed the new slum Policy; and

(j) if so, the reaction of the Union Government thereto?

MINISTER OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT & POVERTY ALLEVIATION ( SHRI ANANTH KUMAR )

(a)to(j): A Statement is laid on the Table of the Sabha.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.28 FOR 20.11.2001, REGARDING NATIONAL SLUM POLICY.

(a)to(e): The Ministry has prepared a draft `National Slum Policy`, however, the same has not been finalized so far. The draft policy has been circulated to all the States/UTs for their comments/observations, which are still awaited. Being a National Policy, it will be applicable to all the States/UTs.

(f)to(h): The Government has recently decided to launch a new scheme titled `Valmiki Ambedkar Awas Yojana` (VAMBAY) with a two pronged strategy viz. (1) to provide shelter or to upgrade the existing shelter for people living below the poverty line in urban slums with a view to achieving the goal of `housing for all` as outlined in the National Housing and Habitat Policy and (2) to provide sanitation facility to the slum population in the form of community based toilets under `Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan` as a sub-component of the scheme. The new scheme will cover all the urban areas in States and Union Territories. An annual grant of Rs.1000 crores has been announced which is to be matched equally by HUDCO as a loan component.


(i): No, Sir.


(j): Does not arise.