Having promised construction of two crore houses in urban areas by 2022 to ensure housing for all particularly for economically weaker section (EWS) and lIG, the Union Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation Ministry will hold a national workshop with the States on Tuesday to deliberate policy measures being undertaken by them to provide dwelling units to the needy.
As per Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) launched in June this year, of about 2 crore houses, 96 per cent is meant for EWS and lIG households. The Central Government has proposed to extend assistance in the range of Rs1 lakh to Rs2.30 lakh per each dwelling unit to be built under PMAY.
As the workshop on ‘Model State Urban Housing and Habitat Policy: Decisive Roadmap for Achieving Housing for All,’ States will give detailed steps taken in respect of affordable housing projects being undertaken by them.
The Ministry of HUPA has asked the States to evolve Affordable Housing Policies to comprehensively address issues affecting creation of affordable housing stock by laying out an enabling environment for various stakeholders to participate in housing projects for EWS and lIG, said a senior official from the Ministry. Action taken in this regard and experiences of ten States in promoting affordable housing stock will be discussed at the proposed workshop, he added.
For instance, the Andhra Pradesh and Telangana Governments will give an account of their proposed total waiver of stamp duty for affordable housing projects in respective States.
In the draft affordable housing policy, presented to the Ministry, the Andhra Pradesh Government has also proposed waiver of land conversion fee, infrastructure development charges, building plan approval fee, registration fee and betterment charges to promote affordable housing for EWS and lIG besides, relaxation in Floor Area Ratio (FAR).
Similarly, the Telangana Government has also proposed twice the normal FAR besides 0.50% additional FAR for timely completion of such projects to encourage private investments in affordable housing.
Such initiatives and experiences of other States will be discussed for the benefit of all other States and stakeholders besides the expectations of industry from affordable housing policies of States, the official added.