Your priorities.
I got down to business on the very first day. We have a massive mandate but there is also a greater responsibility on our shoulder. PM’s promises have to be delivered by us—his ministers. So I’m trying to understand things which are under implementation and will give my own ideas. I would also be travelling across the country to look into the implementation of these projects.
Your short-listed key proposals.
Housing for all by 2020. That is the commitment given to people. Interest rates have to be brought down. We want speedy implementation of these projects. We will also develop 100 clean-and-green smart cities and expand the existing cities which are growing fast. Better public transportation, including tram services, rapid bus transport system and metro in cities across the country. Then there is the issue of urban livelihood mission to provide employment for the urban poor.
On achieving the task of housing for all.
I will talk to the finance minister about this proposal which is my passion. I feel the basic thing should be a shelter for everyone. We will get all stakeholders involved. I will call a meeting of banks, PSUs and financial institutions shortly. I also feel each organisation should build a house for their employees and that would solve the problem to some extent. There is a need for public-private partnership.
On BJP’s development promise in Seemandhra.
There is heartburning that Seemandhra will lose Hyderabad, a developed city. So you have to do justice to that region. Certain assurance for the development of Seemandhra was given by the UPA regime on my insistence. I will deliver on those promises,.
On taking the state governments on board.
States, local bodies, private and public sectors will come together and it will be a combined effort. We will not discriminate. After Parliament session is over, I will travel to states. I will also hold meetings with state officials to examine the pending projects, find out problem areas and suggest solutions. I will also call a meeting of all state urban development ministers in Delhi.
On deliverance of poll-time promises.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi means 3D—decisive, dynamic and development-oriented. I’m sure the government under him will be able to fulfil promises made to the people.
The 64-year-old former BJP president earlier served as Union minister for rural development in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government. A native of Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, Naidu is a member of the Rajya Sabha from Karnataka.
5 Major Challenges
Affordable housing for all by 2020
Building smart cities across the country
Reducing interest rates for housing loans
Providing quality public transport
Eradicating urban poverty