Slum areas to get civic facilities under RAY: Bhalla

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 27: The slum areas in Jammu city would soon have all civic facilities for which a survey is being conducted under the Rajiv Awas Yojna (RAY).
The information was given at a meeting of Housing Board Officers chaired by Minister for Housing, Horticulture and Culture Raman Bhalla.
The Minister was informed that under the first phase the flagship scheme envisaging development of civic facilities in slum area have been launched in six cities of Jammu, Kathua, Udhampur, Anantnag, Baramulla and Srinagar.
Managing Director Housing Board Kiran Wattal, Secretary Housing Board Rampal Sharma besides other senior officers of Housing Board were present in the meeting.
Mr. Bhalla informed that in Jammu the Infrastructural Professional Global Enterprises (IPGE) has been directed to conduct survey of the slum areas in Jammu city and prepare detailed project reports for creation of all basic amenities like better accommodation, safe drinking water, power, road connectivity besides better lanes and drains. He said under the RAY, the Central Government headed by Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has provided liberal funding. He said the schemes aim at to develop all urban pockets, slum basties with all infrastructural facilities to improve living conditions of the inhabitants.
The Minister informed that Centre has released Rs. 2.63 crore against Rs 4.73 crore projects submitted for the up-gradation of slum basties of six cities of the State. He asked the IPGE to complete the survey in a time bound manner to facilitate early start of the work.
Mr. Bhalla asked for effective implementation of Centrally sponsored Rajiv Gandhi Awas Yojana (RGAY) scheme for rehabilitation of slum dwellers, adding that the scheme aims at to tackle the problems of slums in a definitive manner. He said Central and State Governments were committed to improve the living condition of homeless.
The Minister asked the officers to prepare the inventory of Housing Board assets besides available land across the State, adding that Government was keen to develop new colonies under self financing schemes. He stressed the need to put the assets of the Board to best use and revenue generation.
Mr. Bhalla said development of housing colonies in urban as well as rural areas of the State was receiving main focus of the Government. He said the colonies would be developed on modern lines with all basic amenities like safe drinking water, road connectivity, electricity, parking, play field, super bazaar and recreational parks.