Social and economic rents and subsidies for low-income group in Greater Bombay/by P. Ramachandran and A. Padamanabha

THE BASIC FOCUS of this study is on a burning problem facing the modern world-man's struggle for shelter. In a country where population is increas ing at alarming rate, while an economic development is taking place at a leisurely pace, the gap between the rent-paying capacity and the actual rent charged would be high, more so among the low-income groups. This study, based on a sample survey in Greater Bombay, is an attempt to gauge the gap among low-income groups, and also the volume of social cost to the exchequer for providing social housing. Well aware of the limi tations of the government, the authors are of the view that it would only be simple and realistic to woo the private sector to solve a high-priority, national issue like housing for the economi cally weak sections.

The book is a result of a study conducted by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Bombay on behalf of the National Buildings Organization (Ministry of Works, Housing and Urban Development), Government of India.