Centre to ask states to give property rights to slum dwellers

Newly-appointed Minister of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation Ajay Maken today said the state governments would be asked to issue an executive order to provide property rights to slum dwellers till the Model Bill on the issue is passed.

Soon after taking charge of the ministry today, Maken told reporters that a Model Property Rights to Slum Dwellers Bill, 2011 will be passed at the earliest and the states would be expected to enact their laws based on it within a year.

"Meanwhile, we want the states to implement its provisions through an Executive Order and provide property rights to the slum dwellers," Maken said, adding that provisions for providing bank loans for construction of the units would also be a part of the order.

"We want these provisions to be made mandatory," the minister said.

Maken enumerated several ambitious plans which he hopes to implement in the 18 months time that he has before the next general elections.

The Centre would also insist on the states to provide up to 35 per cent Floor Area Ratio in projects for the economically weaker sections. In situ rehabilitation of the slum dwellers would continue to be a priority for the HUPA ministry as shifting the poor away from their source of livelihood would lead to problems for them, he said.

"We plan to rehabilitate them in the vicinity of a five kilometre radius where in situ rehabilitation is not possible," Maken said.

He was also hopeful of getting Rs80,000 crore under the 12th Five-Year Plan for the Rajiv Awas Yojana.

Maken said the National Urban Livelihood Mission is also a focus area for him to protect the rights of the vendors who should not be displaced.

"The Real Estate Regulation Bill is also in an advanced stage and will be brought in the Winter Session of Parliament," the new minister said.