The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee said that there is need to lay emphasis on urban governance, planning and financing. He was speaking on the occasion of inauguration of the 11th National Convention on 'Sustainable Housing for Masses' today (December 7, 2012) at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi.

The President said that housing and real estate sector hold the key to economic prosperity of the country because of its backward and forward linkages with other sectors of the economy besides serving an important social goal. This sector is rightly termed as engine of economic growth, he said.

The President expressed hope that the gathering of experts and important stake holders in the National Convention would deliberate and find workable solutions to meet the housing need of 'Aam Adami'. He sated that there is the need for all stakeholders to join hands and work for achieving the objective of housing for all.

Among the dignitaries present on the occasion was Union Minister of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation, Shri Ajay Maken.

This release issued at 1315 hrs