According to Kapil Wadhawan, executive director, the agency has already commenced its work and the entire review is expected to be completed by February 1999. "Since its inception in 1984, the company has maintained an impressive track record and the decision to appoint Price Waterhouse is logical in the changing competitive housing finance scenario in the country," Wadhawan said.

The company, which is expected to generate Rs 1,000 crore business by 2001, currently operates from 29 centres spread all over the country and PW is expected to recommend a set of methods which will improve the information flow between the centre office and its branches. ``The agency will also recommend suitable hardware and software configuration for introducing online connectivity,'' Wadhawan added.

The decision-making process regarding housing loan sanctions and disbursals will be expedited considerably after the implementation of the PW proposals. ``As and when opened up, we are planning to market insurance products. We're also looking at the possibility of entering commercial banking,'' Wadhawan said.

Dewan Housing's cumulative disbursals stand more than Rs 600 crore with a special emphasis on low and middle income groups. More than 90 per cent of the loans sanctioned come under the category of Rs two lakh per unit. The company has also achieved several firsts to its credit in the housing sector. ``We've introduced double protection scheme (free accident risk cover and property insurance to the extent of loan liability),'' he said.

Besides, the company has always surpassed its stipulated target to rural housing set by the National Housing Bank (NHB). In 1997-98, as against the target of 1000 dwelling units, the company financed a total of 1600 units in rural areas. The company has asked NHB to raise its rural housing target to 3,000 for the current financial year which has been already approved by the NHB.