Question : TYPES OF HOUSES UNDER IAY

(a) the number of pucca, semi-pucca and kachha houses constructed under Indira Awaas Yojana (IAY) during the last three years, State-wise;

(b) the number of shelterless people in the country as on date and the time by which houses for all will be constructed;

(c) the number of houses to be constructed for shelterless people;

(d) the reasons for constructing houses without smokeless chullahs and sanitary latrines;

(e) whether the standing committee on rural development have gone into the rural housing problems in the country; and

(f) if so, the details thereof and the action taken thereon?

MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRI PRADEEP JAIN `ADITYA`)

(a) to (c) Indira Awaas Yojana (IAY) is a Centrally sponsored scheme being implemented by the Ministry of Rural Development across the country (except Delhi and Chandigarh), under which financial assistance is provided to the rural BPL households for construction of a dwelling unit. According to the estimates made by the Office of Registrar General of India based on 2001 Census, the total housing shortage in rural areas throughout the country excluding Delhi and Chandigarh, was 148.25 lakh. A Statement showing the State-wise rural housing shortage based on Census 2001 and number of houses constructed/upgraded during the last three years is annexed. The Target set by the Planning Commission is `to provide homestead sites to all by 2012 and to step up the pace of house construction for rural poor to cover all the poor by 2016-17.

(d) Construction of sanitary latrine and smokeless chullha is an integral part of an IAY house. An amount of Rs.2200/- is provided under `Total Sanitation Campaign` Programme to those IAY beneficiaries who construct a sanitary latrine with the IAY house, in addition to the financial assistance provided under IAY. However, due to traditional and cultural attitudes, many rural households are reluctant to construct sanitary latrine and smokeless chullha.

(e) & (f) The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Rural Development had examined the subject `Rural Housing` in detail from the year 2004-05 onwards and made 56 recommendations in August, 2006. The recommendations mainly related to enhancement of unit assistance under IAY, housing scenario in rural areas in the country, rural housing finance and technology for rural housing. The replies to these recommendations were sent to the Committee and also laid on the Table of the Lok Sabha on 12/12/2008 and in Rajya Sabha on 17/12/2008. The recommendations of the Committee alongwith the replies submitted by this Ministry are also available on the website www.parliamentofindia.nic.in