Amendment in Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana: Millions of Families to Benefit

Key Highlights

• Target increased to build 2 crore more houses by 2029 under PMAY-Gramin.
• Budget allocation exceeds ₹3.06 lakh crore for construction.
• Exclusion criteria reduced from 13 to 10 for broader inclusion.
• Financial aid of ₹1.20–1.30 lakh provided for eligible families.
• Free LPG, toilets, and electricity connections included for beneficiaries.

The government has recently amended the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) to include more beneficiaries under this flagship housing scheme. These changes are aimed at helping millions of economically weaker families in rural and urban India achieve the dream of owning a house. Here's everything you need to know about the recent updates and their benefits.

Also Read: PM Housing Scheme Rural: Survey for Second Phase, Women to Get 100% Ownership

What is Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana?

The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana is an ambitious scheme by the Central Government to provide affordable housing to the economically weaker sections of society. Under this scheme, eligible beneficiaries receive financial assistance to construct their homes.

The scheme operates in two parts:

• PMAY Urban (PMAY-U): For urban areas.
• PMAY Gramin (PMAY-G): For rural areas.

The government provides grants and subsidies under both parts.

Recent Changes in PMAY

1. Increased Target for Rural Housing: - The Union Rural Development Minister, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, announced that the target for PMAY-Gramin has been expanded. Initially, the goal was to construct 2.95 crore houses by March 2024, of which 2.67 crore houses have been completed. Now, an additional 2 crore houses will be built in the next five years, with a budget of over ₹3.06 lakh crore.
2. Revised Exclusion Criteria: - The government has reduced the exclusion criteria from 13 to 10 to make the scheme more inclusive. This will enable more families to qualify for benefits.

Also Read: Madhya Pradesh Sets Charges for Temporary Pump Connection: Here's What Farmers Need to Know

New Exclusion Criteria

After the amendment, the following families are ineligible for the scheme:

1. Owners of motorized three or four-wheelers.
2. Families with mechanized agricultural equipment.
3. Families with a Kisan Credit Card (KCC) having a credit limit of ₹50,000 or more.
4. Families where any member is a government employee.
5. Families owning non-agricultural enterprises registered with the government.
6. Families with monthly income exceeding ₹15,000 (earlier ₹10,000).
7. Families where any member pays income tax.
8. Families paying professional tax.
9. Owners of 2.5 acres or more of irrigated land.
10. Owners of 5 acres or more of unirrigated land.

This relaxation in conditions ensures that more low-income families can benefit from the scheme.

Key Features of PMAY-Gramin

• Houses under PMAY-Gramin will have a minimum size of 25 square meters, including a clean kitchen.
• Financial assistance:
  • ₹1.20 lakh in plain areas.
  • ₹1.30 lakh in hilly areas.
• Beneficiaries receive wages for 90–95 days of house construction under MGNREGA.
• Free LPG connection under the Ujjwala Yojana.
• Toilet construction grant of ₹12,000 under Swachh Bharat Mission.
• Free electricity connection for all beneficiaries.

Government’s Request to States

The Central Government has already released ₹10,668 crore to 18 states for constructing 38 lakh houses. It has urged states to release their share of funds on time to ensure the scheme's smooth implementation.

On September 17, 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi released the first installment of ₹3,180 crore to 10 lakh beneficiaries in Odisha. On the same day, over 26 lakh houses were handed over to beneficiaries.

Also Read: PM Kusum Yojana Uttar Pradesh: Get Subsidy on Solar Pumps from 3 HP to 10 HP – Apply by December 15

CMV360 Says

The amendments to the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana are a significant step toward making housing accessible to all. By revising the exclusion criteria and setting ambitious targets, the government is aiming to provide homes to millions of families who previously couldn’t qualify for assistance.

This move is expected to strengthen rural development and improve the quality of life for underprivileged sections across the country.