Easier availability of land requisite for housing for all mission: Jaitley

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said on Saturday easier availability of land is prerequisite to ensure the success of the central government's "Housing for All by 2022" mission.

"It is not cheaper availability of land - it is easier availability. If we complicate procedures too much, then we are preventing people from acquiring affordable homes," he said at an event here.

The central government's housing mission aims at slum dweller's rehabilitation with participation of private developers using land as a resource and promote affordable housing for weaker section through credit linked subsidy in partnership with public and private sectors.

He said various state governments were in the process of addressing the issue of land availability procedures.

Jaitley said the real estate sector will be playing a key role in the economic development of the country in the coming years.

"Real estate is going to be the next big mover as far as the Indian economy is concerned," he said.

The minister emphasised on the need of more townships, sub-urban townships and smart cities to lead the economic development of India.

According to the BJP leader, sub-urban areas needs to be "more linked" with proper infrastructure which will lead to development of these areas.