UP: BJP, Congress Clash Over Merger of Housing Board with HSVP in Haryana

February 21, 2026

In the Haryana Vidhan Sabha, the ruling BJP and the Opposition Congress locked horns today over the government’s decision to dissolve the 55-year-old Housing Board Haryana (HBH) and merge it with the Haryana Shehri Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP) during the Budget session.

Government’s Stand: Efficiency and Integration

Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, while moving the resolution, defended the merger, saying that the functions of the Housing Board and HSVP are largely similar and merging them would enhance administrative efficiency, improve housing services and strengthen urban planning integration under one authority. He also assured that the interests of all Housing Board employees would be fully safeguarded.

Opposition Says Move Is ‘Anti-People’

Senior Congress leaders, including BB Batra, Raghubir Kadian and Bhupinder Singh Hooda, criticized the merger, calling it “anti-poor” and harmful to those aspiring for affordable housing. They alleged the resolution was introduced in haste without sufficient discussion and claimed it would benefit property dealers over ordinary citizens, especially in rural areas.

Resolution Passed Amid Objections

Despite the strong objections from the opposition, the Haryana Assembly passed the government resolution under the relevant provisions of the Haryana Housing Board Act, 1971, finalizing the merger.