NEW DELHI: The mega mission of the Narendra Modi government to provide a roof over the head of each Indian household by 2022 is a highly ambitious agenda that faces formidable challenges but Minister of State (I/C) for Housing and Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri set the temperatures soaring further high when he announced at the Day 2 of National Real Estate Development Council’s (NAREDCO) 15th National Convention that his ministry is all charged up to meet this target two years in advance, that is, by 2020.
Puri also made a significant point that while in the Congress-rule, urban rejuvenation programmes received a sanction of Rs 150000 crore, in the present dispensation’s rule this figure has gone up by six times. Soon out of 100 Smart Cities announced, the government will be able to roll out 50 smart cities by December 2019, he revealed.
“The 2022 target of a pucca home with basic facilities in the name of the lady of every household in the country will be achieved two years in advance. To achieve this target, we need deep involvement of all stakeholders and I compliment NAREDCO for lending their support to the government to make this dream project a reality in the times to come”,Puri stated.
Puri also apprised the gathering about the progress made by the government on the front of formulating rental housing policy. “The MoHUA has held consultations with the states, during which some concerns have been expressed, but several positive suggestions too have come up.” he added.
Puri spoke highly of Prime Minister Modi as the first PM to embrace urbanization, and accord it high priority. As per an estimate, more than 600 million people be will living in cities by 2030, the time when India also needs to meet the UN agenda of SDGs. “ We are confident to abide by the 2030 sustainable development goals agenda well before 2030,” the minister exuded confidence.
Puri pointed out that RERA has removed many aberrations in the real estate sector. The cleanup process has been started. RERA has been a resounding success, but since it’s a two-year old legislation, we should not expect it to solve all problems at one go. We are in the process of streamlining RERA procedures further. But by and large, the regulator has come to be accepted by all stakeholders, he added.
Earlier, Rajeev Talwar, Chairman, NAREDCO praised the minister for his path breaking measures. He assured that the real estate sector will extend complete support to the Modi government in meeting its goal of transition to 5 trillion economy.
NAREDCO President Niranjan Hiranandani thanked the Minister for gracing the NAREDCO’s National Convention today and described the government’s initiatives for affordable housing as a paradigm shift.
The session also joined by P.K Gupta, Managing Director, State Bank of India.