The government is implementing “Housing for All” to provide all-weather permanent homes to all eligible citizens in urban areas across the country. Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has submitted a proposal to extend the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U) to the end of 2024. The Union Cabinet approved the proposal. Initially launched in June 2015, the Housing for All Mission’s goal was to provide pucca houses to all urban beneficiaries by March 2022. However, according to state and union territory requests, the implementation period for PMAY-Urban has been extended until December 31, 2024. As per government intentions, 122.69 lakh houses are already sanctioned and will be completed by March 31, 2022.
What is Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U)?
Aim: All-weather pucca houses are to be provided through UTs/Central Nodal Agencies to all eligible beneficiaries in urban areas. It covers all urban areas of the country, e.g., all statutory towns as per Census 2011 and any subsequently notified towns, including Notified Planning/ Development Areas.
Verticals: Four verticals are involved in the implementation of the scheme:
Beneficiary Linked Construction (BLC): A subsidy for the construction or enhancement of individual houses based on the initiative of beneficiaries.
Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme (CLSS): Providing credit subsidies to weaker sections to enable them to afford housing.
Affordable Housing in Partnership (AHP): Involvement of both public and private sectors in the construction of houses.
In-Situ Slum Redevelopment (ISSR): Participation of private developers in rehabilitation of slum dwellers.
Specifications of the Scheme
Except for the Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme (CLSS), which is a Central Sector Scheme, it is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS). Through the Mission, women are empowered by providing ownership of houses in their names or jointly with another member.
Under the Urban Housing Scheme, 8.04 lakh homes were finished between 2004 and 2014. Under the Modi administration, the need to build homes for all eligible urban people in a saturation manner was highlighted, and the PMAY-Urban programme was established. The initially anticipated demand for 2017 was 100 lakh homes. In comparison to this initial predicted demand, 102 lakh homes have been started or are being built. Furthermore, 62 lakh of these houses have been finished. Out of the total 123 lakh dwellings approved, bids for 40 lakh homes were received from the States/UTs after the programme had already started and will take an additional two years to complete.
As a result, the Union Cabinet agreed to prolong the PMAY-U implementation period until December 31, 2024 in response to petitions from the States and UTs. The scheme will continue until December 31, 2024 to help construct already-approved homes under the Beneficiary Led Construction, Affordable Housing in Partnership, and In-Situ Slum Redevelopment verticals. According to the statement, while the Central government provides financial assistance, the states and UTs determine which beneficiaries will benefit from the scheme. Over the past five years, Central Assistance has been approved at two lakh three thousand crore rupees, compared to 20 thousand crore rupees in 2004-2014.