Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin | 09 Oct 2024

Source: ET 

Why in News?  

Recently, the Indian government has taken significant steps to enhance its rural housing scheme under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G) by initiating a survey of kutcha houses nationwide and launching the Awas Sakhi mobile app.  

• This initiative aims to identify new beneficiaries for pucca (all-weather) homes, helping families with inadequate housing. 

What is the Purpose of the Survey of Kutcha Houses? 

• Addressing Housing Inadequacy: It aims to gather data on families living in kutcha dwellings, allowing the government to focus resources on those most in need of assistance. 
• Supporting the Awas Sakhi Mobile App: The survey will complement the recently launched Awas Sakhi mobile app, which streamlines the application process for beneficiaries and provides them with easy access to information and resources related to housing. 

What is the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G)? 

• About: Launched in 2016, the PMAY-G aims to provide housing for the poorest segments of society.  
  • The selection of beneficiaries involves a thorough three-stage validation process, including the Socio-Economic Caste Census 2011, Gram Sabha approvals, and geo-tagging, ensuring that aid reaches the most deserving individuals.  
• Under PMAY-G Beneficiaries Receive: 
  • Financial Assistance: Rs 1.20 lakh in plain areas and Rs 1.30 lakh in hilly states, including northeastern states and union territories. 
  • Additional Support for Toilets: Rs 12,000 for constructing toilets through convergence with schemes like Swachh Bharat Mission – Gramin (SBM-G) or Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) or any other dedicated source of funding. 
  • Employment Support: Mandatory provision of 90/95 person-days of unskilled wage employment for beneficiaries through Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) for house construction. 
  • Basic Amenities: Access to water, Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and electricity connections through convergence with relevant schemes. 
• Cost Sharing: The Centre and states share expenses in the 60:40 ratio in the case of plain areas, and 90:10 for Northeastern states, two Himalayan states (Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand) and the Union Territory(UT) of J&K.  
  • The Centre bears 100% cost in the case of other UTs including Ladakh. 
• Progress Under PMAY-G: The Government has set an ambitious target to build 2.95 crore houses. As of August 2024, 2.94 crore houses have been sanctioned, and 2.64 crore houses have been completed, significantly improving the living conditions of millions of rural families. 
• Recent Developments: The Union Cabinet, in August 2024 approved financial assistance for the construction of two crore additional houses at the existing unit assistance.  
  • The PMAY-G eligibility criteria have been relaxed, and those owning bikes or scooters can now make it to the beneficiary list. People earning up to Rs 15,000 a month will now also be eligible for a house (the earlier limit was Rs 10,000). 
  • This initiative, set to span from FY 2024-2029, aims to address ongoing housing needs, benefiting nearly 10 crore individuals and ensuring safe, hygienic, and socially inclusive housing for those currently without proper shelter or living in dilapidated conditions.