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From: Architexturez-IN <admin-in@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
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Date: Tue, 18 Dec 2007 19:21:58 +0530
As the news of Ulcra repealing spread like wildfire on Thursday noon, it
was mixed reaction in the administrative corridors of the state’s key
infrastructure agencies.
The memorandum significantly said: “We view this decision with serious
concern and the adverse effect it would have on low- and middle-income
groups.... We hope that you will revise the Act rather than repeal it.”
However, in 1999, the Centre repealed the Act believing that a dearth of
land was resulting in inflated property prices and that repealing the
law would help the housing and infrastructure construction business.
Maharashtra, West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh chose not to repeal the law;
a choice they could make because land is a State subject.
With its removal, land is no longer a protected commodity. All that has
happened after the repeal is that control has shifted from the
government to private business. “Even in that most capitalist of all
countries – the United States of America – it is the government that
takes responsibility for providing land for social housing. How can
India afford to shirk this responsibility?” asks Prabhu.
In effect, the government has done two things – it has absolved itself
of the responsibility of providing affordable housing and it has given
an open field to property developers and speculators. The repeal of
ULCRA is an admittance by the state that it was unable to come up with a
workable plan that would encourage builders to construct affordable
housing and also make a profit via premium schemes.
The distance between those who need a roof over their heads and those
who invest in property just got wider without ULCRA.
cont'd....
http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/stories/20080104242503600.htm