The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party in Gujarat had promised in its 2012 election manifesto that it will build 50 lakh low-cost houses at a cost of Rs.33,000 crore during the next five years, but the very first Budget of the newly-elected Narendra Modi Government has found just about Rs.4,000 crore for the purpose. By common arithmetic, at an average of Rs.4,000 crore a year the estimated allocation for the much-touted project has been slashed to Rs.20,000 crore in five years – as much as Rs.13,000 crore less.

“Though even Rs.33,000 crore is less to build that kind of housing infrastructure, the allocation of Rs.4,000 crore this financial year is peanuts,” points out Jayanti Dave, known Gujarat economist and veteran business journalist.