New Delhi:(Page3 News Network)-President Pranab Mukherjee today called on industry to work hand in hand with the government to provide affordable and sustainable houses to the poor and economically weaker sections of society. Inaugurating the two day 11th National Convention on Sustainable Housing for the Masses in New Delhi, Mr. Mukherjee stressed for housing projects to have options for low income groups to ensure inclusive growth. Reminding, the housing and real estate sector holds the key to prosperity, Mukherjee asked the private sector to supplement government efforts to provide food, clothing and shelter to all.Mr. Mukherjee urged for developing secondary cities to ease the pressure of urbanisation due to unavoidable migration. The President pointed out that there is a shortage of 80.78 million houses in 2012 and 95 per cent of it is among the economically weaker sections. He asked, the private sector to achieve synergy in partnership with the government in executing projects for the poor and economically weaker sections under Public Private Partnership model to address the challenges in housing sector. The President also asked banks to come up with innovative solutions to lend to the poor and low income group so that they too could afford a home.
Speaking on the ocassion, Urban development and poverty alleviation minister Ajay Maken said, the government is working on a Real Estate and Development Bill to ensure transparency and accountability in the sector. Mr. Maken said, the 26.3 million dwelling units were added in the last decade due to consistent efforts of the government to provide affordable housing to the common man.
