Andhra Pradesh govt housing projects: A boon for economic growth

December 25 this year will mark a new dawn in the welfare governance by any authority in the world. Under the leadership of visionary chief minister YS Jagan mohan Reddy, history is being created in Andhra Pradesh with free housing site pattas to 31 lakh beneficiaries. In addition, the construction work of 15 lakh houses will also start on the same day. Generally people think that it is an only a welfare scheme but there is much more to it.

In fact, the Chief Minister is providing free homes to almost 25 per cent of population i.e., 31 lakh individuals are receiving a house, and if we calculate four persons as a family own houses are provided for 1.24 crore people.

In this backdrop it's time for all progressive governments to analytically think, and focus more on the housing for poor like such schemes that can establish a sustained progress for the good of economy.

Taking reference from 'Urban Transformation through Housing for All: One Crore and More', its high points are for every government to take a cue as per their strength. The project cost was Rs. 6.13 lakh crore, which means capital infusion into market, with duration of five years. This has created a demand for cement and steel straight away approximately 17 million metric tonnes of each. Though there were over one crore direct beneficiaries of the project if we count them as a family it works to four crore of population provided with a home.

Such a large housing project also creates opportunity for 21 allied sectors like, banking, transport, brick industries, electrical accessories, plumbing, frames and furniture, paints, construction equipment, tiles and others. Direct employment generation was estimated for labour inputs per unit house 30 sq.m.: labour 289 person days) translating into huge opportunity for labour employment.

There is ample opportunity for solar generation, too, as 30 sqm space is available on each roof top. That's not all, once the families set in the houses, it will also create a huge opportunity for local employment and businesses right from small vendors to big corporate houses and generate income for government in the form of taxes. Thus, a housing project can inject life and bring back an economy to a progressive state from a dormant situation. Though the above project had individual's monetary contribution but states like AP have been also doing free projects across with different sizes of space.

Another important reason to build houses is for migrant labours. During the Corona lockdown, India witnessed millions of workers in a pitiable condition were forced to walk thousands of kilometers away to their places. It's time to think for their housing, provide them with an asset and security to remain there in any catastrophic condition.

During the Covid spread, it's noted that poor people were hit hard as everyone was advised to stay in their homes. But the fact remains many poor people were infected as they did not have a place to stay and were forced to move out. This was also a reason for the massive spread of disease and cost of life.

Back at AP's free housing, whatever be the political mileage, but Jagan Mohan Reddy, feels that it's not just own house he is offering, he is creating a benchmark for house owner's life style. An own house will make people more responsible and they tend to be more committed for their growth and lead a hard-working life. This, at gross level, will lead to a productive economic activity and transforms in to states wealth.

(The author is MLA from Denduluru constituency in West Godavari district)