(a) the number and percentage of Below Poverty Line (BPL) persons in the urban areas of the country;
(b) whether the Government proposes to initiate any new scheme to improve the living condition of the
BPL people in urban areas and to create employment opportunities for them;
(c) if so, the details thereof and the time by which it is likely to be implemented; and
(d) if not, the reasons therefor?
MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOUSING & URBAN POVERTY ALLEVIATION (KUMARI SELJA)
(a): As per the estimates of NSSO (61st Round) for the year 2004-2005, based on the Uniform Recall Period
(URP) method, the estimated number of urban poor is 80.8 Million which is 25.7% of the urban population
of the country.
(b) to (d): In pursuance of the address of the President of India, to both Houses of Parliament in June
2009 in which the Government’s vision of a “Slum-free India†was announced, the Ministry of Housing &
Urban Poverty Alleviation has submitted the proposal of Rajiv Awas Yojana for the consideration of the
Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on 10th February, 2011. This scheme aims to provide support for
shelter & basic civic and social services for slum redevelopment and creation of affordable housing
stock to States that are willing to assign property rights to slum dwellers. The Schemes has not yet
been launched.