Basic Services to Urban Poor (BSUP) and Integrated Housing and Slum Development (IHSD) are two significant government programs in India aimed at addressing the housing and infrastructure needs of urban poor populations.

Basic Services to Urban Poor (BSUP)

• BSUP is a centrally-sponsored scheme under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), which was launched in 2005. The primary objective of BSUP is to improve the living conditions and quality of life for urban poor communities residing in slums and informal settlements.
• BSUP focuses on providing essential urban services and amenities to slum dwellers. These services include housing, water supply, sanitation, sewage, and solid waste management. The program also aims to create livelihood opportunities for the urban poor.
• Implementation: The implementation of BSUP involves active participation from state governments, urban local bodies (ULBs), and community-based organizations. It encourages community involvement in decision-making processes related to infrastructure development and housing.

Integrated Housing and Slum Development (IHSD)

• IHSD is another government program aimed at the rehabilitation and improvement of slum areas in urban centres. It is designed to address the housing and infrastructure needs of urban poor families residing in slums and informal settlements.
• IHSD encompasses a holistic approach to slum development. It includes the construction of pucca (permanent) houses for slum dwellers, along with the development of necessary infrastructure like roads, drainage, sanitation facilities, and community spaces.
• Implementation: The program is usually implemented by state housing boards or development authorities in collaboration with local bodies. Community participation and involvement are encouraged in the planning and execution of IHSD projects.

Impact

Functions

• BSUP has contributed to improving the living conditions of urban poor families by providing access to basic services like housing, clean water, sanitation, and livelihood opportunities. It has helped in changing culture of poverty.
• It has also helped in reducing the proliferation of slums in urban areas.
• IHSD has had a positive impact on slum dwellers by providing them with improved housing conditions and access to basic services. It aims to uplift the socio-economic status of urban poor families and promote inclusive urban development.
• These programmes helped in tackling issues of homelessness the worst form of exclusion as highlighted by Anthony Giddens.
• These have helped in women empowerment as it helps in saving time in various household activities and girl child can utilise the time in education attainment.
• Better amenities and housing facilities helps in reducing incidence of diseases and prevent further marginalisation due to loss in wealth and time.

Dysfunctions

• Slums are even today the reality of urban landscape and even these are proliferating.
• The culture of poverty is still present. Sometimes slum dwellers instead of shifting to these houses put these houses on rents and hence perpetuating culture of poverty.
• Iron cage of rationality and top-down approach prevented community participation and there are implementation gaps also present.

S C Dube has highlighted the role of removal of discrepancies between the mentalities of planners. Similarly, there is need to shift focus from government aid towards initiative of people and mobilising their motivation so that the impact of such programmes can be seen and the ideal of welfare state can be realised.