'Govt looking at rental housing'

Q&A/ M P Vasimalai

M P Vasimalai, a member of the National Technical Advisory Committee for Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission (JNURNM) of the Union Urban Development Ministry, and founder, Dhan Foundation, tells Sreelatha Menon that the seven-year programme cannot solve housing shortage for the low and middle income groups.

Have you been able to look at housing shortage for low and middle income groups as part of JNURM?

It is a complex issue. We are trying to see how legitimate space can be provided to low income groups.

Resettlement of people removed from encroached areas is a complex matter. There is no space in nearby areas and they end up being sent away to faraway places

But have the city development plans not addressed this? And haven't you had any influence on them?

It is a problem that has accumulated over several years. Many expect miracles from JNURM. That is not fair. What we need is a new way.

Then what does JNURM do?

It is talking of reforms. But again these can't happen overnight.

The Central government has been casual about enforcing the reforms like uniform stamp duty and rent control mandatory for states taking money under JNURM? These could have eased housing shortage. Haven't you put pressure on the Centre?

The Centre isdoing its bit. But stamp duty, rent Act are all state issues. None of the states are doing anything towards uniform stamp duty and amendment of rent control Acts.

We are trying to address this by asking for city-level resource groups in every one of the 63 cities under the JNURM.

Madurai has the first of the city technical advisory committee for JNURM. We also have a city resource corps. That mobilises resource from the city and sets the city thinking and influencing decisions of the state.

Does JNURM look at rented housing as a solution for housing shortage?

No, it does not so far. But the recent review meeting on JNURM by the prime minister did talk of it. The government is looking at revising legal procedures to facilitate it. They are looking at world models in this.

But what do you as advisor think about it?

I feel city development plans must have working models . Five or ten cities must do it. And for this more negotiations are required. I feel the next three years are crucial. The need of the hour is to create models, to do piloting in solutions for housing shortage.

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