Statement by India at the 40th Session of Human Rights Council (25 February – 22 March 2019) on Agenda 3: Interactive Dialogue with the SR on environment and the SR on adequate housing, delivered by Ms. Mini Devi Kumam, First Secretary, Permanent Mission of India [04 March 2019, Geneva]

Mr. Vice President,

We thank the SRs for their presentations.

2. The right to housing remains a priority for India. India continues its mission of “Housing for All by 2022” to provide better and affordable housing facilities especially to the rural poor, urban slum dwellers and  vulnerable groups. India notes the focus of the report on access to justice for ensuring the right to housing. The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act of India mandates a humane, participative, informed and transparent process for land acquisition. The act also covers the post-acquisition social and economic rehabilitation of the affected persons. The Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act of 2016 aims to bring accountability and transparency, protection of consumer interest and establishment of adjudicating mechanism for speedy dispute redressal in real estate sector.

3. The negative impacts of poor air quality on people’s lives and health are of serious concern and India notes several recommendations of the SR including seven key steps that States may consider to ensure the right to breathe clean air.The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana Scheme aims to protect the health of women and their empowerment by providing 50 million connections of Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) to poor women under this Scheme. India has already enacted the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act to provide better prevention, control and abatement of air pollution.

4. India is implementing the National Action Plan on Climate Change through eight national missions. We are targeting to achieve 175 gigawatt renewable energy capacity by 2022 from solar, wind, biomass and small hydro power projects. The International Solar Alliance (ISA) was  also launched with the objective to exploit the abundant cheap solar power. It was also meant to galvanise joint efforts required to reduce cost of finance and technology, mobilize more than 1000 billion USD of investments needed by 2030 for maximum utilization of solar energy, and pave way for future technologies adapted to the needs of 121 countries lying fully or partially between the Tropics.

Thank you, Mr. Vice President.

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