The Minister of Urban Development, Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation and Parliamentary Affairs, M Venkaiah Naidu inaugurated and addressed the august gathering to commemorate HUDCO’s 45th Foundation Day. Naidu emphasised on the three basic mantra’s of Modi, that of ‘skill, scale and speed.’ He said that the centre and states have to effectively engage the private sector to achieve the mission of affordable housing for all by 2022 and complimented HUDCO in its endeavour to provide affordable housing to the unreached by financing 92 per cent of its housing schemes to the economically weaker section (EWS) and low income groups (lIGs).
Naidu said that agriculture alone cannot sustain people. Therefore, focus has to be aimed towards sustainable urbanisation for optimum use of space for housing and providing infrastructure facilities such as metros, airports and bus rapid transits to the people. The main agendas of the government, he said, are ‘growth, development and governance.’
Naidu pointed out that the focus of urbanisation should be to create innovative ideas through proper planning and disaster management preparedness by adapting and adopting best practices from all over the world. On the occasion, he released three HUDCO publications — HUDCO Darpan, Shelter and HUDCO Design Awards-2014.
Babul Supriyo, Minister of State for Urban Development and Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation, graced the occasion and congratulated HUDCO for its 45 years of existence in providing housing and basic infrastructure across the country. He said that HUDCO, since its establishment, has been a vital cog in the scheme of things of the government in its various efforts in the provision of social housing and basic urban amenities in the country.
He further added that HUDCO’s mission statement “to promote sustainable habitat development and to enhance quality of life” echoes the efforts of the Ministry of HUPA to make housing affordable and accessible to all. He further said that urbanisation is a phenomenon, which cannot be reversed but is continuously on the rise. While addressing the shortage of housing and urban infrastructure deficiency, he emphasised that HUDCO will be able to turn red-tapism to red-carpet, while implementing the policies of the government. Supriyo gave awards to the best performing agencies, HUDCO best practices, best regional offices and long services.
While delivering the welcome address M Ravi Kanth, CMD HUDCO, highlighted the key role played by HUDCO over the years, in channeling investments into housing and urban infrastructure sectors. At the same time, being the principal arm of the government, HUDCO has assisted in the implementation of various housing and urban development programmes of central and state governments from time to time. Detailing HUDCO’s laudable performance in terms of sanctions, releases and reduction in NPAs, he mentioned that it was made possible due to the unflinching support and constant guidance extended by the Union Minister, MoS and the Ministry of HUPA.