In many cities of India today, there are moves to clear away the slums where poor people live. Discuss whether or not it is the responsibility of the government to make arrangements for houses for these people.
Ans. Yes, it is definitely the social responsibility of the government to make arrangements for housing for these people, although some part of the cost of the houses should be charged from them, otherwise they will not be involved in the scheme initiated by the government.
The slums should be cleared because they lack sanitation, are the hub of epidemic diseases and prone to be a fire hazard.
Government of India has taken schemes like Rajiv Awas Yojana for urban poor and Indira Awas Yojana for the rural poor in India. Both these schemes are aiming to provide clean healthy housing for the needy. Bharat Nirman is another social welfare programme in this respect.