Maharashtra government focuses on affordable housing

To promote the affordable housing, the state government has decided to give the incentive to the developers who are constructing the small and affordable sizes of the houses.

Eknath Khadse, state revenue minister said that they are working out the affordable housing plan on the basis of the centre government's House for every one by 2022. "As a part of it, the first project has been started at Khopoli. Here, the buyer has to pay initially Rs 2 lakh and remaining amount during the possession of the house. The size of the house is 600 sq ft and the total cost of the house is between Rs12-to-16 lakh," said Khadse.

He said that they will also give the additional floor space index (FSI) and loan at the lower interest. "The promoter/developers who own the land can come forward. The condition is that these designated houses should be sold out to the middle and lower income group people only. The government will also have the authority to fix the rate of the houses. The word affordability and incentive is depend upon the locations to locations," Khadse added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said the House for every one by 2022 should be made as a 'movement'. Modi said that "We should make the long term plan by pitching houses to every one," he said.

Senior government official said that BJP led government has decided to frame the policy in a such way that the developers will be encouraged to construct the affordable houses. "To buy the house in Mumbai and now in suburb is also out of ambit of the common man. We are in process of framing the new development control policy.

Sunil Mantri, president of NAREDCO welcomed the state government move. "It is very good idea. There is huge demand of the affordable segment. Government cannot meet the people demand of proving roof on each one head. If private developers are helping and have been involved, then the large numbers of affordable houses can be constructed. We will understand the scheme and will support the government to meet its target," Mantri said.