ABSTRACT
This chapter explains the role of the Planning Commission, a body of the Union Government established in 1951, is of major importance. It deals with the development of land and housing policy on a national and State level. The chapter also deals with Central Government 'policy'. Given the facts and arguments, it is not surprising that it contains more policy issues and a clearer line of development in 'policy thinking' than the second, state section does. To some extent, this is also caused by the fact that Indian and international experts have tended to focus upon national policy rather than on what happened in the State headquarters. The chapter addresses land and housing policy development in Andhra Pradesh. Although housing and urban development are officially state government responsibilities, most of the plans, 'the directives to implement the plans, and most important, the money for the plans come from the Centre'.
