A first: Affordable housing policy for industrial workers in Haryana

Pradeep Sharma

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 10

In a first, the BJP-JJP government has launched the affordable rental housing policy for industrial workforce inside or adjoining industrial colonies across the state.

Dwelling units to be offered exclusively on rent

• All dwelling units to be offered exclusively on rent, no outright sale of apartments
• Residential projects can be developed either inside industrial colonies or adjoining areas
• There’s a provision of dormitories to accommodate maximum persons
• To cater to the need of families ommunity halls, crèches to be constructed

As per the policy, all residential units under the project can only be offered on rent either for short-term (minimum period of one month) or long-term (one year or more). The promoters of the projects would not be allowed to independently sell the units under the Haryana Apartment Ownership Act.

AK Singh, Principal Secretary, Town and Country Planning, said the policy provided industrial workers with affordable rental housing for short-term and long-term period.

Officials said the area norms requirement for such projects would be 0.5-4 acres. The projects can be developed either as standalone ones or could be part of the residential component in industrial colonies.

The area of dwelling units will range between 20 and 60 sq m. The areas of at least 35 per cent of the units will not exceed 30 sq m. The distinct feature of the policy will be construction of dormitories in the residential complex to accommodate maximum number of industrial workers at affordable rates. However, common or separate kitchens and bathroom facilities will have to be provided in all apartments and dormitories.

Besides, to cater to the needs of families, community halls and anganwadis-cum-creches will be constructed in residential complexes.

Meanwhile, monitoring committees under Deputy Commissioners will be formed “to make regular checks of the premises to ascertain that the facilities are being maintained properly and the policy was being implemented in letter and spirit”.