PMAY-G Expands with Additional 2 Crore Houses

Why in the news?

The government approved the construction of 2 crore more homes under PMAY-G, aiming to enhance rural housing, empower women, and improve living conditions across India’s rural areas.

Overview of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Rural (PMAY-G):

  • Launch and Objective:
    • Launched on 20th November 2016, PMAY-G aims to provide pucca homes for the poorest rural households.
    • Beneficiaries are selected through a rigorous validation process, ensuring the aid reaches those in need.
  • Expansion and Financial Support:
    • Initially targeting 2.95 crore houses by 2023-24, the scheme has been extended by an additional 2 crore houses.
    • The total outlay for FY 2024-29 is ₹3,06,137 crore, with ₹54,500 crore allocated for FY 2024-25.
  • Eligibility and Prioritization:
    • Eligible beneficiaries include houseless households and those living in dilapidated houses. Priority is given to specific vulnerable groups, such as destitute households and manual scavengers.
    • 60% of the targets are reserved for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST), while 5% is earmarked for differently-abled beneficiaries.

Key Features and Progress:

  • Progress and Focus on Empowerment:
    • As of November 19, 2024, 3.21 crore houses have been sanctioned, and 67 crore completed.
    • 74% of the houses are owned by women, with plans to achieve 100% women ownership.
  • Support for Skilled Employment:
    • Over 3 lakh rural masons have been trained in disaster-resilient construction, improving their employability.
    • Beneficiaries can receive loans up to ₹70,000 at reduced interest rates for house construction.
  • Government Convergence for Enhanced Benefits:
    • PMAY-G aligns with initiatives like Swachh Bharat Mission, MGNREGA, and Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana to improve sanitation, employment, and access to clean fuel.

Sources Referred:

PIB, The Hindu, Indian Express, Hindustan Times