NEW DELHI: The controversy over the genuineness of the recent allotment of DDA flats has had a positive fallout.
Wiser by the mad scramble for the scarce flats which helped scamsters to set up bogus applicants, the Centre has asked DDA to use the tonnes of cash at its disposal to build 40,000 flats every year.
In a stern directive to the agency, which has been derelict in carrying out its mandate to provide affordable housing to the ever-increasing population of Delhi, Centre has asked DDA to come out with specific provisions to construct 40,000 houses a year, beginning next year itself.
The target of 40,000 may appear ambitious given the lethargic ways of the DDA. The agency, which has amassed a huge fortune by selling large tracts of land it controls, has been routinely criticised for not carrying out its charter.
The letter from urban development secretary M Ramachandran to DDA vice-chairman Ashok Kumar Nigam stands out for the sense of urgency it displays.
Ramachandran told TOI, "An estimated 40,000 people migrate to Delhi every year, so DDA needs to build the same number of houses which is compulsory mandate of the agency."
He said if DDA, which has monopoly over land resources, focussed on its primary mandate of providing shelter to people, there would be plentiful supply and such scams could be averted.
"We have asked DDA to come out with budgetary provisions to meet the shortage. The agency has no problem of resources, hence taking up this initiative should come easy," Ramachandran said.
"DDA should give special focus on housing and the ministry is ready for any support if needed," he added.
The DDA first built houses in 1967 and in the 40 years since, has sold just around 4 lakh flats, miserably failing to cater to the spiralling housing need in the Capital. To make matters worse, houses offered by private builders are beyond the reach of most middle-class families, leave aside the poorer sections.
The Centre's advice has come after DDA resisted the UD ministry's policy on encouraging public-private partnership in housing sector. It had also sought to restrict the agency's role in land acquisition and construction.
DDA failed to come out with its PPP policy on housing even three years after the ministry moved the proposal, an official said.
DDA is vested with complete authority for land acquisition, development and allocation, besides the responsibility of providing affordable housing to all.
The ministry is disturbed by the fact that over 5 lakh people applied for 5,000 flats in the recent DDA housing scheme. In its last offer in 2006, DDA had received over 2 lakh applications for 3,500 flats. To top it, the allotment has come under cloud with charges of rigging flying around.
The last official estimate of the Capital's housing need was done by the 2001 Census. It had put housing shortage at one lakh units which did not take into account the 40 lakh people who live in illegal colonies.
According to Delhi's Master Plan 2021, the city's population is expected to be 2.3 crore by then. An additional 24 lakh houses would be needed ― 4 lakh to clear the backlog and the rest to account for increase in population. The Master Plan has pointed out that only 53% of the housing need is met by institutions, with the rest in the unorganised sector.
Despite the huge deficit, DDA has neglected the housing part and concentrated more on land sale and purchase.
Source; http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Govt_to_DDA_Build_40000_housesyear/articleshow/4034318.cms
Wiser by the mad scramble for the scarce flats which helped scamsters to set up bogus applicants, the Centre has asked DDA to use the tonnes of cash at its disposal to build 40,000 flats every year.
In a stern directive to the agency, which has been derelict in carrying out its mandate to provide affordable housing to the ever-increasing population of Delhi, Centre has asked DDA to come out with specific provisions to construct 40,000 houses a year, beginning next year itself.
The target of 40,000 may appear ambitious given the lethargic ways of the DDA. The agency, which has amassed a huge fortune by selling large tracts of land it controls, has been routinely criticised for not carrying out its charter.
The letter from urban development secretary M Ramachandran to DDA vice-chairman Ashok Kumar Nigam stands out for the sense of urgency it displays.
Ramachandran told TOI, "An estimated 40,000 people migrate to Delhi every year, so DDA needs to build the same number of houses which is compulsory mandate of the agency."
He said if DDA, which has monopoly over land resources, focussed on its primary mandate of providing shelter to people, there would be plentiful supply and such scams could be averted.
"We have asked DDA to come out with budgetary provisions to meet the shortage. The agency has no problem of resources, hence taking up this initiative should come easy," Ramachandran said.
"DDA should give special focus on housing and the ministry is ready for any support if needed," he added.
The DDA first built houses in 1967 and in the 40 years since, has sold just around 4 lakh flats, miserably failing to cater to the spiralling housing need in the Capital. To make matters worse, houses offered by private builders are beyond the reach of most middle-class families, leave aside the poorer sections.
The Centre's advice has come after DDA resisted the UD ministry's policy on encouraging public-private partnership in housing sector. It had also sought to restrict the agency's role in land acquisition and construction.
DDA failed to come out with its PPP policy on housing even three years after the ministry moved the proposal, an official said.
DDA is vested with complete authority for land acquisition, development and allocation, besides the responsibility of providing affordable housing to all.
The ministry is disturbed by the fact that over 5 lakh people applied for 5,000 flats in the recent DDA housing scheme. In its last offer in 2006, DDA had received over 2 lakh applications for 3,500 flats. To top it, the allotment has come under cloud with charges of rigging flying around.
The last official estimate of the Capital's housing need was done by the 2001 Census. It had put housing shortage at one lakh units which did not take into account the 40 lakh people who live in illegal colonies.
According to Delhi's Master Plan 2021, the city's population is expected to be 2.3 crore by then. An additional 24 lakh houses would be needed ― 4 lakh to clear the backlog and the rest to account for increase in population. The Master Plan has pointed out that only 53% of the housing need is met by institutions, with the rest in the unorganised sector.
Despite the huge deficit, DDA has neglected the housing part and concentrated more on land sale and purchase.
Source; http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Govt_to_DDA_Build_40000_housesyear/articleshow/4034318.cms
No comments:
Post a Comment