Prime Minister of India - Dr. Manmohan Singh

PM writes to CMs to promote inclusive cities with basic services for the Urban Poor

The Prime Minister has requested Chief Ministers to prepare time-bound action plans for providing all basic services for the urban poor in major cities in their states. Dr. Mamnmohan Singh sought their personal attention to promote the concept of inclusive cities in which every citizen has reasonable and affordable access to basic amenities.

The Prime Minister in a letter to the Chief Ministers has said that while the states have responded to the challenges offered by the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission there is a need to focus on the component of Basic Services to the Urban Poor to implement the charter of the JNNURM.

This component relates to provision of basic entitlements and amenities to urban poor in terms of security of tenure, affordable housing, potable water, and sanitation facilities while envisaging convergence of health, education and social security. The Mission also seeks internal earmarking in Urban Local Body budgets for provision of basic services to the urban poor.

The Prime Minister has also urged the Chief Ministers to direct each city to develop these plans using innovative resource mobilization models to finance the projects by combining funds provided by the Central and State Governments with community and private resources.