Bangalore, Oct 26 (UNI) With most of the states coming up with 'grossly' lacking programmes for the urban poor Jawaraharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNRUM) has issued new guidelines to the states for preparing master plans for development of their cities and towns.

Speaking at a national seminar JNNRUM Joint Secretary P K Mohanty said here today that the Mission had issued new guidelines to be followed by the States while preparing the master plans with inclusive zones to provide service to the urban poor coming under the scheme.

Madhya Pradesh had already submitted new master plans with changes made in regard to providing basic services for the urban poor, he said.

He said that the Mission had so far sanctioned Rs 40,000 crore.

Out of this Rs 1600 crore was meant for providing basic services such as affordable housing, water supply, sanitation, education and health.

The Mission had taken several innovative measures in providing total housing at affordable rates for the urban poor, he said.

Stating that 54 per cent of Mumbai population lived in slums and the city Corporation was earmarking only nine of per cent of its annual budget for the poor, he said the Mission had asked them to hike the budgetary allocation for the upgradation of the slums with basic services.

UNI