Housing for poor: A dream to come to reality in Punjab soon
All the state governments are gearing up with agendas of affordable housing. Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal today announced that the state government would construct one-lakh houses for economically weaker sections in the next three years.
Participating in the ‘Housing for All’ conclave of State ministers of Housing and Urban Development at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, Badal mentioned that the state has already created a land bank of 300 acres. He also mentioned that his ministers are instructed to increase the land inventory and it is expected it to increase exponentially in the next year.
Badal urged the Centre to form state-specific schemes and create special funds to facilitate such efforts of state governments. Every state has different issues to tackle, and the government should look at measures to facilitate these affordable housing projects. Small states have scarcity of land; north eastern states have issues with converting agricultural land for other purposes, some other states face issues in getting approvals from the forest, conservation and other departments to flag off such projects.
Badal, who also holds the Housing portfolio proposed exemption of development authorities like GMADA and GLADA from payment of income tax. He stated that they are contributing to urban development by creating much needed infrastructure as well as housing for weaker sections.
Source- The Tribune
GMADA, Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA), Housing and Urban Development department, Housing and urban development minister, Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, State housing and urban development
