11 September 2024, New Delhi: Union Minister for Rural Development and Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, chaired a video conference with Rural Development Ministers of various states, focusing on the progress of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G). During the meeting, Chouhan announced that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will release an installment of ₹2,745 crore to lakhs of beneficiaries under the PMAY-G on September 15 in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand. Acceptance letters will also be distributed to all targeted beneficiaries for the financial year 2024-25.
The meeting was attended by senior officials from the Ministry of Rural Development, where Chouhan provided key instructions for the upcoming program. The state ministers expressed their full commitment to the initiative. Chouhan reiterated that the Modi government’s ultimate goal is the upliftment of the country’s poor, and the PMAY-G plays a crucial role in achieving that vision. The scheme has already seen considerable success and will now be expanded, with the central government aiming to construct an additional 2 crore houses for economically disadvantaged sections over the next five years.
Achievements and Future Goals
Chouhan highlighted that of the target to construct 2.95 crore houses by March 2024, nearly all have been approved, and 2.65 crore homes have been completed. On September 15, the Griha Pravesh (housewarming) ceremony for 26 lakh beneficiaries whose homes were completed in the financial years 2023-24 and 2024-25 will also take place. Additionally, Prime Minister Modi will interact with PMAY-G beneficiaries during the event. Chouhan further noted that the construction of 2 crore new houses, with a budget of over ₹3.06 lakh crore, is on the horizon.
Simplified Rules for Wider Coverage
To ensure that no eligible family misses out on the benefits of PMAY-G, Chouhan explained that the government has simplified and amended the scheme’s rules. Exclusion criteria such as ownership of motorized two-wheelers, fishing boats, refrigerators, and landline phones have been removed. The income limit for families has also been raised from ₹10,000 to ₹15,000 per month. Additionally, land ownership-related criteria have been made less restrictive to broaden access to the scheme. These changes aim to make the goal of “Housing for All” a reality.
Comprehensive Approach to Rural Development
Chouhan emphasized that the government’s approach to rural development under PMAY-G is not limited to providing housing. Beneficiaries are also offered 90-95 days of wage support under MGNREGA for building their homes. In coordination with welfare schemes like the Swachh Bharat Mission, Ujjwala Yojana, and Saubhagya Yojana, the government is ensuring access to toilets, cooking gas, and electricity for these households. Furthermore, under the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Yojana, efforts are being made to provide solar rooftop connections to reduce electricity bills for beneficiaries.
Chouhan reiterated that each house built under PMAY-G is a complete, well-equipped unit, contributing to the government’s larger vision of creating poverty-free villages and a developed India. He assured that the Ministry of Rural Development is working continuously to resolve any issues that states may face, ensuring the timely completion of projects.
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