In a bid to provide equal footing to all classes of the social strata, the Odisha State Housing Board, on Monday, presented its first draft of the “Housing for All” Policy.
The policy aims at encompassing the Economically Weaker Section (EWS), the Lower Income Group (LIG) and the slum dwellers of the state, informed Pushpendra Singhdeo, Minister, Housing and Urban Development.
He informed that ‘rehabilitation of slum dwellers has been given the of foremost importance in the policy’ along with with a minimum estimate of one lakh houses to be constructed in a year.
As per the new policy outlined, the state government would contribute a sum of rupees 1.5 lakhs for each house, the rest would be borne by the municipality and the welfare committee. The ratios of funds to be shared is yet to be finalised.
Singhdeo informed that the Housing Board, Municipal Corporation, and other such organisations would be given the authority for construction of such houses. The policy also encourages construction under the PPP model.
For buildings constructed under the PPP model, 75 percent would be secured for the EWS, LIG and slum dwellers. The 25 percent that remains could be traded at market price.
Speaking about the division of income groups, Singhdeo informed that as of now it has been stipulated that households with an income of less than 1,80,000 would be categorized as EWS and those whose income range between 1,80,000 to 3,60,000 would be categorized as LIGs.
Prasanta Patnaik 
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