UK announces support of 14.5 million pounds for Indian slums

LONDON: Moved by the plight of slum dwellers as depicted in films like Oscar-winning 'Slumdog Millionaire', Britain has announced a new scheme and support of 14.5 million pounds, providing eight million people across India access to water, better sanitation and shelter.

Speaking at a high level meeting on the future of cities in India and Africa, International Development Minister Gareth Thomas said it would help to address poverty.

The Department for International Development(DFID)-funded programme will support India's flagship Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) programme.

DFID support will initially be used in 20 cities in India giving access to piped water in 20 per cent more slum households as many currently use shared hand pumps and have no access to clean drinking water.

It will also provide over a quarter of all households with better sanitation facilities through improved sewerage, waste management and drains, besides allowing 25 per cent more households to have a legally secure claim to their home, through tenancy or ownership.

The funding would also enable some of India's poorest people to be involved in consultations on how to improve housing, slum infrastructure and water in their area.

"Films like Slumdog Millionaire have helped to give British audiences a brief insight into the reality of how difficult daily life is for people in slums. It is right that we take action to help those people who need it most."