(MENAFN- KNN India) Minister of Urban Development and Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation M.Venkaiah Naidu said that the baton of urban transformation in the country is now in the hands of the states and urban local bodies after the launch of the three new urban missions by the Prime Minister.
"It is for you to take it forward. The central government has done its bit by formulating the new Missions after extensive consultations with you and based on your views and suggestions," he said.
He said states have been given full freedom in designing, approving and execution of projects under the new missions and states and urban local bodies should now rise to the occasion.
Naidu also urged the state governments to strengthen ULBs by transferring funds and functionaries and enhancing their administrative, planning and technical capacities.
Stressing that focus should be on revenue generation and urban reforms to meet the aspirations of the citizens under new urban missions, the minister urged the states and ULBs to strive more to ensure housing for all the urban poor by the year 2022.
Stating that own house is an essential pre-requisite for decent living, Naidu explained the Operational Guidelines for the Mission which provide for flexibility to states to make it a success. He referred to provision of an unprecedented interest subvention of 6.50 per cent for economically weaker sections and low income groups as an indication of central government's commitment to help urban poor own houses.
Referring to mobilization of required resources for urban housing scheme, he informed the states and ULBs that there is substantial scope for FDI in construction sector including affordable housing. (KNN/ST)
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