Lok Sabha Housing Committee Visits Shimla — Holds Comprehensive Review On Multi-Dimensional Issues
The focus was on advancing sustainable and inclusive urban development
The Housing Committee of the Lok Sabha conducted a series of high-level meetings today as part of its three-day study tour to Shimla, Himachal Pradesh. Led by Committee Chairman Dr. Mahesh Sharma, the delegation engaged with multiple departments to assess and strengthen policy execution across housing, health, urban development, and finance sectors.
Dr. Sharma was joined by MP Suresh Kashyap, Shimla Mayor Surendra Chauhan, Deputy Mayor Uma Kaushik, Joint Secretary to the Government of Himachal Pradesh Bhuvan, along with other senior officials and dignitaries.
Focus on Multi-Sectoral Coordination
Housing and Urban Development:
The Committee held detailed discussions with officials from the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and the Central Public Works Department (CPWD). The focus was on advancing sustainable and inclusive urban development, reviewing the progress of key housing initiatives, and ensuring effective implementation of flagship programs such as the Smart City Mission.
Health Sector:
In a joint session with officials from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS), the Committee reviewed steps taken to enhance accessibility to healthcare services. Discussions highlighted the need for improved health infrastructure, digitalization, and citizen-centric service delivery. The Committee offered suggestions to further streamline health facilities in the public interest.
Financial Sector:
In its interactions with representatives from UCO Bank, Bank of Baroda, Punjab National Bank, Indian Bank, and the Ministry of Finance, the Committee underscored the importance of financial inclusion in rural and hilly regions. Deliberations focused on expanding access to banking services and promoting innovation-led banking solutions to better serve remote populations.
This visit marks a significant consultative step in the policy-making process. Rather than a routine inspection, the Committee’s on-ground engagement aims to grasp local challenges and feed into meaningful recommendations to the Central Government for future policy frameworks.
