The slums of India which have been in the limelight since the success of ‘The Slumdog Millionaire’ have been targeted for complete eradication within 5 years by an ambitious UPA government along with President Pratibha Patil on Thursday.

The President has claimed that her government's effort will be to create a slum free India in five years through the Rajiv Awas Yojana, a rehabilitation scheme for the slum dwellers and urban poor, on the lines of Indira Awas Yojana, a successful scheme in many rural areas.

Addressing the need to focus on an urban housing programme for the poor, Patil declared that Rajiv Awas Yojana will be the pilot project for this and all existing affordable housing schemes, including interest subsidy offer, will be included in this project.

Patil said, 15 lakh houses are already under construction. The scheme will also extend financial support under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) to states "that are willing to assign property rights" to people living in slums.’’

With an urban housing shortage of around 25 million units and 98% of it falling in the economically weaker section, the Housing Ministry and Urban Poverty Alleviation ministry already had its hands full to live up to the promise of creating a ‘slum-free’ India in 5 years.
However, the President went on with the ambitious aim to revamp crumbling infrastructure in cities and emphasised that JNNURM, with projects of around Rs 50,000 crore under their belt, will continue to focus on upgrading cities’ infrastructure and public transport with enhanced support.

Sounds too good to be true! But let’s all keep our fingers crossed and hope for the best…

It's just dream. Although the govt. has made rule but it is not vigilant.

Well this is just all khayali pulav that ministers are cooking.. well to remind them that thy have still not fulfilled their earlier promise then what they will keep what they are saying now.

But Thy need to remove slums which are really spoiling the beauty of the city..

This is really very big challenge to improve the life condition of slum people. I appreciate Govt. thing and plan for it and for its completion Govt. need everybody's support.

But one thing which hurt that everybody blaming the Govt. give excuses, point them for not doing anything but nobody support them and encourage the new ideas.

well its not abt blaming government but the corruption is too much in india because of which no one is interested in working for country.. every one makes their own money..

Even the ppl who are good and want to really work for country get trapped in this corruption net...

I agree with you that present situation is really very worst I just want to say that good things are always remain good whatever the situation. We (THE YOUTH) need to create an atmosphere for the better future of India.

well himalayan.. we all are there to work fr it but its not in our hand to control such a huge population and to fight against our law and order..

the full system is corrupted..coz of slums only ministers are getting huge amout of money frm builders...

its an entire chain which is corrupted..

I dont think its in someone's hand...we are the people who indeed here to clean the corrupted minds of every citizen...if we are perfect ...the whole system will change ..hope the best democratic india soon..

http://[img]http://orkut.vidpoke.com....gif[/img]

we tried this in the US. we gave loans to people that couldn't afford it and brought down the worlds economy? (last september)

is the government - through taxes on the working - going to pay for the housing?
do a google search on "pruitt igoe"
you will see how condos - apartments worked for us in the 60's 70's. we had riots. remember?

difficult task. let's try our best.

STOP DREAMING PEOPLE
As far as democracy is here its not possible

these things require an independent initiative. I guess if this task is handled by government and private sectors together then the scheme can do wonders. And dreams do come true!

Dreams can turn to reality if one works upon it. If government and private sector work hand in hand then definitely it will work.

It's definitely a dream because we can't expect a "slum free INDIA" From this government who supports slums juts because to increase their vote bank....