Lok Sabha Question No. 354 (STARRED), answered on 2016-08-10
Subject: Challenges of Urban Poverty
Ministry: HOUSING AND URBAN  POVERTY ALLEVIATION
Asked by: (ADV.) JOICE GEORGE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN POVERTY ALLEVIATION

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO. 354* TO BE ANSWERED ON AUGUST 10, 2016

## CHALLENGES OF URBAN POVERTY

No. 354*

ADV. JOICE GEORGE:

Will the Minister of HOUSING AND URBAN POVERTY ALLEVIATION be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether  the  Indian  cities  have  come  to  occupy  the  place  as world's  biggest  cities  as  per  reports  and  if  so,  the  facts  and details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has been able to meet the challenges of urban poverty which is proliferating in the country and if so, the details of steps taken to strike a balance between urban growth and urban poverty; and
- (c) the success achieved by the Governments in this regard?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF HOUSING & URBAN POVERTY ALLEVIATION [SHRI M VENKAIAH NAIDU]

- (a) to (c): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

Contd.-Pg./2

## STATMENT

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION  NO.  354*  REGARDING  CHALLENGES  OF  URBAN POVERTY FOR ANSWER ON AUGUST 10, 2016.

- (a) :  As  per  Census  of  India  2011,  53  Urban  Agglomerations (UA)/Towns  in  the  country  have  population  of  one  million  or above  each,  among  which  Greater  Mumbai  UA,  Delhi  UA  and Kolkata  UA  with  more  than  10  million  persons  each  comprise megacities. Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata are among thirty largest urban agglomerations in the world ranked by population size in 2010,  as  per  World  Urbanization  Prospects,  The  2014  Revision, United Nations.
- (b)  &  (c):  Urban  poverty  is  multifaceted  and  presents  multiple challenges.  Accordingly,  multifarious  interventions  by  various Ministries/Departments, State Governments, Urban Local Bodies, international and national organisations, other agencies in public, private and cooperative sector and civil society organizations  are  aimed  at  addressing  these  varied  challenges. Government  is  committed  to  the  development  philosophy  of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas' and its policy thrust is on improving well-being of people by targeting various vulnerabilities through appropriate  measures.  Direct  intervention  by  specific  poverty reduction and mitigation strategies and implementation of other welfare programmes comprises, inter-alia, Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM), Pradhan Mantri  Awas  Yojana-Housing  for  All  (Urban)  Mission  [PMAYHFA(U) Mission], Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation, National Health Mission, National Social Assistance Programme, Targeted Public Distribution System/National

Food  Security  Act,  Pradhan  Mantri  Jeevan  Jyoti  Bima  Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana, Atal Pension Yojana etc. Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, use of Aadhaar, mobile

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telephony and Direct Benefit Transfer  scheme  ensure  that welfare benefits reach intended beneficiaries and subsidies are transferred directly in their bank account.

Ministry  of  Housing  and  Urban  Poverty  Alleviation  administers DAY-NULM  and  PMAY-HFA  (U)  Mission.  During  last  two  years including current year, under DAY-NULM, 6.24 lakh persons have been  provided  skill  training;  1.98  lakh  beneficiaries  have  been placed  for  wage/self  employment  and  assisted  for  setting  up individual/group  micro  enterprises;  more  than  1  lakh  Self-Help Groups (SHGs) have been formed and disbursed loans under SHG Bank Linkage programme; 58,437 SHGs have been given Revolving  Fund;  815  shelter  for  urban  homeless  have  been sanctioned, out of which 345 shelters are operational; 7.76 lakh street vendors have been identified in 726 surveyed cities, 1.75 lakh  street  vendors  have  been  issued  ID  Cards  and  street vending plans have started in 70 cities; and under PMAY-HFA (U) Mission, 2802 cities have been selected; 1147 projects involving construction  of  8.54  lakh  houses  have  been  approved;  1770 houses  have  been  completed  and  8004  houses  have  been purchased  with  loans  under  Credit  Linked  Subsidy  Scheme  of PMAY  (U).  Also,  under  on-going  Rajiv  Awas  Yojana  projects subsumed  in  PMAY-HFA  (U)  Mission,  28,080  houses  have  been completed.

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