"Proliferation of slums is the result of failure of housing policies". Critically analyze.

Slums are seen as 'requirements' as they provide cheapest labour for urban 'dwellers'. Thus, they are maintained, prospered by urban dwellers. Slums signify a deep disparity in income levels which create polar classes.

Slums are not a result of housing policy failure and neither creation of more houses will solve this problem as conditions behind creation of slums are not dealt with. Slums signify a total neglect of development of village economy and infrastructure and specially agriculture. As urban sociologists put it "slums are necessary evils" in informal economy of India. Weberian scholars study slums as failure of equal access to market opportunities.

Brazil too has lots of slums, but basic human needs are well in place there as slum dwellers too earn decently. So, till the time slum people wont get nice employment opportunities this problem wont solve.

Slums are also seen as an opportunities for politicians because politics is based on sharing rosy dreams about future. Thus, they are lured, respected and then forgotten after elections.

Slums signify a deep apathy for working class and their welfare. Marxian approach provides good inputs as it says that slums are considered a blot on prosperity by rich people but they would shrug from the idea that they only have created it.

Inter-region disparity in development is also a major reason behind their proliferation as everyone wants to come to metropolis for sustenance.

Rural-urban divide, cultural factors, caste atrocities in villages, ostracization also pushes people to cities, though it may amount to living in slums.