Towards slum-free cities: Housing scheme in Mangalore, 9 city corporations

From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore

Bangalore, Dec 19: In order create slum-free cities, the State government has decided to implement the Rajiv Awas Yojana (RAY) to facilitate affordable housing for slum dwellers of 10 city corporations, including Mangalore.

The other city corporations in which RAY is being implemented are: Bangalore, Hubli-Dharwad, Bellary, Shimoga, Mysore, Tumkur, Gulbarga, Belguam and Davanagere.

A State Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday decided to implement the Rs 10,752 crore RAY in cities.

The Centre would provide financial assistance to the State on the condition of assigning property rights to slum dwellers.

Under the programme, the State have to provide shelter and basic civic and social services for slum dwellers.

Briefing reporters on the Cabinet decisions, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister T B Jayachandra said the cost for housing has been estimated at Rs 7750.89 crore, infrastructure – Rs 1489 crore and social infrastructure – Rs 123 crore.

There would be other expenses, including construction of buildings.

For infrastructure, the Centre, the State Government and the urban local bodies would share the cost in the ratio of 50:25:25 respectively.
For housing, the cost sharing ratio is 75:15:10 by the Centre, the State and ULBs, respectively. Each of the house would cost Rs 2.50 lakh.

Under this scheme, the state government had sought to take action for inclusive urban growth by enabling re-development of slums with basic amenities and decent housing with security of tenure, he said.

The government has also decided to submit a proposal to the Centre for extending the RAY to 26 tier-two cities.

The 26 cities include Udupi, Karwar, Madikeri Chitradurga, Bhadravathi, Bijapur, Gadag, Bidar, Hospet, Raichur, Chamarajangara, Gangavathi, Ranebennur, Chikmagalur, Yadgir, Ramangaram, Bhadravathi, Doddaballapura, Koppal, Haveri, Hassan, Mandya, Bagalkote and Sira, the minister said.