Phase Two of PMAY-Urban Set to Commence, Targeting Construction of One Crore Houses

The second phase of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), Urban, is likely to be rolled out with an allocation in the next Union budget, officials said on Tuesday. An official in the Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry said the modalities for PMAY-U 2.0 were being finalized and the launch was likely to take place within a month. It envisions the building of more than one crore houses in urban areas and benefiting larger numbers of urban families.

The second phase of the scheme will soon start and it shall be based on the learnings of the first phase of PMAY-U with the focus on better targeting of the scheme and no delay in disbursement," said the official. This means improved efficiency and effectiveness for the program, with timely help to the beneficiaries. Another official said that PMAY-U 2.0 is likely to divide the beneficiaries into three categories: Economically Weaker Section (EWS), Low Income Group (LIG), and Middle Income Group (MIG).

The Cabinet of the Modi 3.0 government, in the first meeting on June 10, presided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, had cleared central assistance for building three crore houses under PMAY.

It has been nine years, ever since the inception of PMAY-U on June 25, 2015, when millions of families found a way to reconstruct their lives under one umbrella concept of 'Housing for All.' The Government of India initiated assistance to eligible households in rural and urban areas for the construction of houses with basic amenities under PMAY from 2015-16 onwards.

According to a ministry statement, out of the 1.14 crore houses grounded for construction, more than 84 lakh have been completed and handed over to the beneficiaries. Rs 1.64 lakh crore out of the committed Rs 2 lakh crore, central assistance has been released so far. 

Women empowerment is supported under PMAY-U, where ownership is given in the name of female members or in joint names. The ministry said more than 94 lakh houses were provided under the name of women, hence giving them an identity of their own. This does not only provide housing, but also empowers women by giving them a significant asset in their name.

Under the Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme, one of the four verticals of PMAY-U, about 25 lakh houses have been facilitated. Besides, PMAY-U has been pioneering new construction technologies to promote affordable housing on a large scale. Light House Projects (LHPs) at six locations across the country epitomize adoption of innovative construction technologies, ensuring quicker and more efficient building processes. These LHPs are located in Chennai, Rajkot, Indore, Lucknow, and Ranchi; of these, the Prime Minister has already inaugurated these. Agartala is then at a very advanced stage of construction.

With PMAY-U 2.0 ready to be launched, the scheme would take on the battle for 'Housing for All' through the achievements of its first phase of this ambitious scheme. It shall further bring in better targeting and efficient disbursement for changed impacts on urban housing to improve living conditions for millions of families across India.

By LNN (Liyaans News Network)