RAY of Hope for Slums
Slum rehabilitation projects, like Rajiv Awas Yojana, should not be shifted to the peripheries with no room for livelihood
Rajiv Awas Yojana (RAY) is a major flagship programme of the UPA-II government that projects a vision of a slum-free India. It promises to make urban poor families realise their dreams of owning a house with full land title and access to basic amenities. However, its announcement raised diverse expectations. The actors in housing and real estate sector saw it as a programme giving a boost to the land market and creating business opportunity. Banking agencies anticipated huge inflow of subsidies and state support in the name of affordable housing. Urban upper and middle classes hoped that slums that are being perceived as a threat to their safety would disappear either through upgradation or eviction. Unquestioningly, RAY became a darling of everyone, despite conflicting interests.