Private banks including HDFC and Axis bank have expressed interest in providing loans to poor in Haryana for the housing under the state sponsored scheme. The State government plans to fund Rs 1,600 crore to build 3.5 lakh houses for poor in the two years. A few private banks have already expressed interest in providing loans for the poor being covered under the housing scheme, Principal Secretary, Rural Development Haryana, Ram Niwas said during the 124th state level banker' meeting at Chandigarh.    

He urged public sector banks to cash in on the business opportunity. Under the scheme the poor are to pledge their plots to avail the bank loans. Not many public sector banks have been forthcoming even though the state government was expecting warm response from them as the part of the cost of the house is being subsidised.    

Punjab National Bank is the only bank that has formulated a scheme to cash in on the opportunity.