Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana 2024: New Survey, Revised Eligibility, and Extended Benefits

Key Highlights

• PMAY extended to 2029 with a new survey.
• Focus on rural areas; fresh eligibility criteria.
• Subsidy: ₹1.2 lakh in plains, ₹1.3 lakh in hills.
• Bank loans up to ₹6 lakh for LIG/EWS.
• Excludes families with higher income or assets.

The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) has been extended from 2024 to 2029, with new plans to conduct a fresh survey to ensure that every eligible person gets their own home. This government initiative aims to provide financial support for building houses and even offers options to obtain loans from banks.

Two Parts of the Scheme: Urban and Rural

PMAY is divided into two parts: Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana Urban and Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana Rural. The focus of the recent extension is on the rural part of the scheme. The state government has instructed that a new survey be conducted in rural areas. This is to ensure that those who were left out in the earlier survey conducted in 2018 can also benefit from the scheme.

Also Read: Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana Gramin: New Eligibility Rules and Benefits Explained

Survey to Start Again in Rural Areas

The new survey will be conducted in the gram panchayats (village councils) of various districts. Teams will be deployed to carry out this work, and the necessary preparations have already begun. Recently, the Chief Development Officer (CDO) issued instructions to Block Development Officers (BDOs) to start the process.

Who Will Benefit?

The scheme is designed to help those who need it the most in rural areas. It aims to provide a permanent house to homeless families, tribal groups, legally freed bonded labourers, destitute people, and those who earn their living by begging. The eligible people who were listed in the 2018 survey but did not receive a house will also be included in this new survey.

Changes in Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria for PMAY Rural have been revised. Now, even if someone owns a two-wheeler, they can still be eligible for the scheme, provided they meet other conditions. Additionally, families with a member earning up to ₹15,000 per month can now also qualify, compared to the previous limit of ₹10,000.

Who Won't Get the Benefit?

However, there are certain conditions where families will not qualify for the scheme:

• Families with a three-wheeler or four-wheeler.
• Families with a government employee as a member.
• Families owning 2.5 acres or more of cultivable land.
• Those who pay income tax.
• Families with five acres or more of unirrigated land.
• Kisan Credit Card (KCC) holders with ₹50,000 or more.
• Families with non-agricultural enterprises registered with the government.
• Families with agriculture enterprises.
• Those earning more than ₹15,000 per month.

Subsidy and Bank Loan Options

Under PMAY Rural, the government provides a subsidy of ₹1,20,000 in plain areas and ₹1,30,000 in hilly or inaccessible areas to build a permanent house. Additionally, those from the Low-Income Group (LIG) and Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) can avail of bank loans up to ₹6 lakh to build their homes.

Also Read: Farmers in Rajasthan Can Now Get Rs 1 Lakh Interest-Free Loan from Home: Here's How

CMV360 Says

The extension of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana from 2024 to 2029, along with the fresh survey, aims to make sure that everyone who qualifies can get their own home. With changes in eligibility criteria and increased support, the government is taking steps to ensure that more people can benefit from this scheme.