Question : NEW HOUSING POLICY

(a) whether the Government is planning to come out with a new housing policy with the focus on providing housing for the weaker sections in rural areas and an expeditious urban reforms process as reported in the Hindu dated December 1, 2004;

(b) if so, whether the Union Government has called the suggestions from the State Governments to incorporate in the new policy;

(c) if so, the facts thereof;

(d) whether the State Governments have sent some suggestions in this regard;

(e) if so, the details thereof;

(f) whether the new policy is different from previous one;

(g) if so, the details thereof; and

(h) the strategy adopted by the Government for the equal development of poor people?

Minister of state (independent charge) in the ministry of urban EMPLOYMENT & POVERTY ALLEVlAllON (KUMARI SELJA)

(a)to(h): Since the earlier Housing Policy was declared in 1998, the issue of revision of Housing Policy was considered besides other issues with focus on providing housing for all and also urban reforms necessary for increasing the housing stock, in the recently concluded State Housing Minister`s Conference held on 29-30 November, 2004 at New Delhi. After discussions and taking views of the State Governments present during the Conference, the recommendation which emerged was that Housing and Habitat Policy 199Q needs to be suitably revised through a consultative process to accelerate supply of serviced land and housing with particular reference to EWS and LIG Category and taking into account the need for development of support infrastructure and basic services in the context of economic growth, quality of life, equity and social justice.