The central government’s flagship rural housing scheme, Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G), has faced a slowdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In the fiscal year 2020-2021, just 5.4% of the sanctioned houses under the scheme were completed.
About Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana- Gramin (PMAY-G)
The PMAY-G is a restructuring of the former Indira Awaas Yojana (IAY) and was launched on 1st April 2016. The Rural Development Ministry oversees the implementation with the aim to ensure “Housing for All” by 2022.
The scheme targets to provide a concrete house with basic amenities to every rural family that is homeless or living in decrepit conditions by the end of March 2022. It also seeks to assist rural people below the poverty line in constructing dwelling units and improving existing unserviceable kutcha houses through full grants.
Beneficiaries of PMAY-G
The beneficiaries of this scheme include people belonging to Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), freed bonded labourers, and non-SC/ST categories. Widows or next-of-kin of defense personnel killed in action, ex-servicemen and retired members of the paramilitary forces, disabled persons, and minorities can also avail benefits from this scheme.
The selection process involves three validation stages: the Socio-Economic Caste Census 2011, Gram Sabha, and geo-tagging.
Cost Sharing Under PMAY-G
The cost of providing assistance is shared between the Central and State Governments. The ratio is 60:40 in plain areas and 90:10 for North Eastern and hilly states.
The minimum size of the house has increased from 20 sq.mt to 25 sq.mt, including a hygienic cooking space. The assistance amount has risen from Rs. 70,000 to Rs. 1.20 lakh in plain areas and from Rs. 75,000 to Rs. 1.30 lakh in hilly states.
Features of PMAY-G
PMAY-G leverages other governmental programs like the Swachh Bharat Mission-Gramin (SBM-G), MGNREGS, or any other dedicated source of funding for the construction of toilets. To provide piped drinking water, electricity connection, and LPG gas connection, different government programs are also used.
Performance of the Scheme
As of January 2021, less than 1.27 crore out of the targeted 2.28 crore houses had been built. Funds were sanctioned to nearly 85% of beneficiaries. Despite construction challenges, the scheme has generated employment opportunities, with several states employing migrant laborers during lockdowns.
Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Urban (PMAY-U)
Launched on 25th June 2015, PMAY-U aims to provide housing for all in urban areas by 2022. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs oversees this program that includes statutory towns, notified planning areas, development authorities, special area development authorities, industrial development authorities or other state-legislated bodies handling urban planning & regulations.
All houses under PMAY(U) have basic facilities like toilet, water supply, electricity, and kitchen. The scheme also promotes women’s empowerment by giving ownership of houses to female members or joint ownership. There is a preferential allotment system in place for differently-abled persons, senior citizens, SCs, STs, OBCs, minorities, single women, transgender, and other weaker & vulnerable sections of the society.
Four Verticals of PMAY-U
PMAY-U is divided into four sections: In-situ Rehabilitation of existing slum dwellers using land as a resource through private participation, Credit Linked Subsidy, Affordable Housing in Partnership, and Beneficiary-led individual house construction/enhancement.