Track2Realty: President of India Pranab Mukerjee on Friday, Dec 7, urged the private sector to come forward to meet the housing shortage in the country. He was inaugurating the two day convention on Sustainable Housing For Masses organised by National Real Estate Development Council (NAREDCO).
This is the first time any President addressed realtors and experts of the industry. He was hopeful that this convention will help to devise new strategies to meet demand of housing in the country
In his speech, the President said that “urbanisation is now unstoppable”. In search of opportunities and employment people are migrating to cities in large number. India’s urban population is expected to reach very high in the coming time. There is shortage of 18.7 million houses in the country out of which majority for poor.
He said that 25 per cent of India’s urban population lives in slum and unauthorised colonies. Mukerjee added that the government has taken many steps to resolve problems including Jawahar Lal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) and Rajiv Awas Yojna (RAY).
He said that the government is encouraging private builders to make affordable houses for the masses, and the developers should take advantage of various incentives offered by the government to help in meet the acute demand of houses for LIG and EWS in the country. He was of the opinion that housing in the real estate sector is the key of prosperity of the country and should be given all kinds of support.
Ajay Maken, Minister of Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation said that, “endeavour of his ministry would be of bringing housing sector into the list of priority sector. Maken talked about the pace of urbanisation and shortage of housing. He said that there is a shortage of 18.78 million houses and the number will increase rapidly.
He requested all sectors associated with housing to come together to solve this problem. Mr. Maken talked about the Urban Housing policy and told that the goal was to improve the housing facilities in the country. He said that India is capable of unleashing waves of housing schemes. He also hoped that some innovative ideas will emerge from this conclave.
Navin Raheja, President, NAREDCO, while welcoming the guests said that real estate sector is the second largest employment generator but it is not scene with respect. He said we must change our mind sets. Raheja added that there should be some policy to give this sector due respect. Government has not done much in this regard and because of this there are slums and unauthorised colonies in every city. Raheja was critical of the fact that 52 types of clearance are required to clear a project and takes up to four years to get everything done, increasing the cost of housing.
He also cited examples of delay by the environment ministries all over the country. He said that projects must be cleared online as this process will be easier and transparent.
