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Inspiring Demand for Change Dr. Arun Kumar T he Government has declared 1999-2000 as the year of the Gram Sabha to provide fresh impetus to development and for decentralisation of governance. This would, it is believed, allow a shift from programme-led to process-led approaches for decision making, while creating economic opportunities in rural industry and services and assist in the provision of rural infrastructure. It would also divorce governance from economic activities.Rural water supply and sanitation and housing programmes are presently attracting a lot of attention at the national level and in policy formulation. While statistics indicate that the majority of the population in rural areas has access to safe drinking water, the truth appears to be otherwise. In the case of housing, the statistics of 33 million housing shortage seems to be frozen. In the new financial budget, the construction of additional 1.3 million houses in rural areas is envisaged. Will these targets be fulfilled in reality or will they be consigned to the growing heap of statistics? The quest for sustainable solutions calls for attitudinal changes. Banks and financing institutions must change their attitude towards disbursing loans to the rural poor, whom they are reluctant to finance. The Government has to rethink its definition of improved Shelter, as most Indira Awas Yojanas specify designs-materials with scant respect for local building practices. Apathy towards Government schemes invariably leads to squandering of meagre financial resources. The State becomes the provider; the people only demand and complain. This stems from total lack of participation of house owners in decision making. Successful initiatives in housing must integrate supply factors with demand considerations. How can housing activities leverage alternative economic opportunities? Supply factors that continue to enlarge the choices for affordable building products gain wide-spread acceptance when channelled through local delivery chains, without distorting the local market conditions. The experience of Laurie Baker provides evidence that favourable supply conditions can leverage growth of affordable housing. The proliferation of concrete blocks in the Deccan region, South and Western India bears testimony to rapid development of markets and distribution systems. The process is facilitated by easy and assured availability of technology and technical assistance. Innovation in building materials and technologies is generously supported by research institutions, BMTPC, HUDCO, Deptt. Of Science & Tech., Cement Industry etc. But this is clearly not enough in the context of the large volume of housing to be constructed in both urban and rural areas. Rapid multiplication for delivery and construction can be achieved only through demand driven processes. Initiatives must result in inspiring demand through :
The approach requires: - commitments for building skills to match economic opportunities and providing training in financial prudence; - commitments for building awareness about alternative economic opportunities, backed up with low cost finance to promote entrepreneurship; and - commitments for undertaking large scale campaigns to increase awareness of people’s rights and duties to make informed choices. Who will inspire this change ? q
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