Govt clears 2 pro-poor proposals for urban housing

The Government has approved the launch of Rajiv Awas Yojana (RAY) as a centrally- sponsored scheme (CSS) to be implemented during 2013-2022 and also continuation of affordable housing in partnership scheme (AHP) as part of RAY with amendments.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) cleared two pro-poor proposals for providing affordable housing to the urban people and provide them with self-employment and skilled wage employment opportunities to help reduce poverty.

The CCEA also approved the proposal for restructuring of the centrally-sponsored scheme of Swarna Jayanti Shahari Rozgar Yojana (SJSRY) in the 12th Plan and as the National Urban Livelihoods Mission (NULM) with an allocation of about Rs 6,405 crore.

The NULM Mission is to reduce poverty and vulnerability of urban poor households by enabling them to access gainful self-employment and skilled wage employment opportunities, resulting in an appreciable improvement in their livelihoods on a sustainable basis through building strong grassroot-level institutions of the poor.

The mission would also aim at providing shelter equipped with essential services to the urban homeless in a phased manner. It will also address livelihood concerns of urban street vendors by facilitating access to suitable spaces, institutional credit, social security and skills to urban street vendors for accessing emerging market opportunities.

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It was decided to continue the Interest Subsidy Scheme for Housing the Urban Poor and rechristen it as the Rajiv Rinn Yojana. This will be implemented as a stand-alone central sector scheme. The Planning Commission has allocated Rs 32,230 crore for RAY during the 12th Plan.

The RAY will provide support to states/union territories and central government agencies for providing housing, including rental and transit housing, development/improvement of basic civic and social infrastructure and operation and maintenance of assets created under the scheme. RAY will cover all cities and towns, the selection of which will be made by the states in consultation with the Centre.