PUNE: The Union government will soon launch a 'Slum Free India' mission with Rajiv Awas Yojana (RAY). The implementation phase of the scheme after its launch will be run on a mission mode during 2013-22.

The government is bringing all existing slums within the formal system and enabling them to avail the basic amenities that are available for the rest of the city. In the implementation phase, RAY will cover all towns, cities and urban agglomerations in the country. The selection will be made by the states in consultation with the centre giving priority to district headquarters, cities of religious, heritage and tourist importance with due consideration to the criterion of pace of growth of the city, slums within the city and predominance of scheduled caste, scheduled tribe and minority population and other weaker and vulnerable section of the society.

The Union government would fund 50%, 75% and 80% of the project cost for towns, cities and urban agglomerations respectively with population of more than 5 lakh, less than 5 lakh for those in northeastern region.

A two-step implementation strategy would be adopted i.e. preparation of Slum-free City Plans of Action (SFCPoAs) on 'whole city' basis and detailed project reports (DPRs) on 'whole slum' basis. Selected cities will be assisted to draw up their plans which will be an overall action plan of the ULB with investment requirements projected and prioritized for improving and developing the existing slums and providing houses including basic civic infrastructure and social amenities for the urban poor for the next 10-15 years.