New government committed to affordable housing dream: Fadnavis
The New Chief Minister of Maharashtra
The first BJP government of Maharashtra is committed to providing roof over every head and accelerating housing industry in Maharashtra to realize the vision of housing for all by 2020, said Maharashtra CM-designate Devendra Fadnavis.
Q: What steps should government take to convert the vision of housing for all by 2020 to reality and to boost the affordable housing?
A: The government will give priority status to affordable housing. Since the vision of housing for all by 2022 is to be realized, the government will streamline the approval process and also reduces the total cost of ownership for the end user of affordable housing.
The new government will remove major bottlenecks like land acquisitions and government clearance for the real estate sector, especially affordable housing projects. Our government wants everyone in Maharashtra to have a roof over head and hence we will do everything within the legal framework to facilitate the development of affordable housing.
Q: Will you adopt BOT policy for development?
Developmental projects should be undertaken on ‘Build, Operate and Transfer’ (BOT) basis. This is one of the ways of development. But in the last few years, some contractors have gained disproportionately out of such projects. Nothing was done in the past to augment the revenue of the state. But this will not happen again. Efforts will be made to augment the revenue of the state by proper evaluation of every project and no undue favours will be granted to any contractor.
Q: What will be your order of priority as the CM?
A: Development of infrastructural facilities, improving the agricultural productivity, industrial development, law and order, standard education in schools and colleges, besides basic facilities of water, power, road, bridge, irrigation and airport.
Q: Since you hail from urban area, what is your idea of agricultural development?
A: I am the son of farmer. I know that it is essential to improve the productivity of the farmland. Unfortunately nothing has been done by the past government. A special machinery will be set in place for this purpose. There will be proper planning for ‘Bagayati and Jirayati’ forms of farming and ample water will be supplied for irrigation. Stress will be on sprinkler irrigation which will lead to the saving of water.
Q: What is your idea of industrial progress?
A: For the promotion of industry, red-tapism will have to go. Efforts will be made to remove all hurdles in the path of industrialists desiring to set up industries which take as many as two years for establishment as of now. No delay can be tolerated in this competitive age. Technology gets obsolete in no time and hence fast clearances will be granted to industrial projects. Decision will be taken on increasing the FSI in the industrial estate. Effective implementation of Narendra Modi’s ‘Make in India’ will be done in Maharashtra and I will put great emphasis on IT development in Maharashtra.
Q: When in opposition you had flayed the government for turning Maharashtra into debt-burdened state. How will you tackle the situation?
A: Actually, I am not opposed to seeking loans. What is important is purpose for which the loan is taken for and how it is utilized, whether assets can be created out of them. When the loan is spent on unproductive things, the state enters the debt trap. Unnecessary expenditure will be lessened; quality of official cost will be examined, and newer sources of revenue generation will be created so that the state GDP also goes up.
