The Pradhan Mantri Gramin Awaas Yojana (PMGAY) is a key initiative of the Central Government in its mission to provide affordable housing for all. It is addressed to the rural poor, offering durable houses equipped with essential amenities, including a hygienic kitchen, to replace inadequate kutcha houses. It is the successor of the Indira Awaas Yojana; a similar welfare measure initiated by the Government in force back in the year 1985, and is regarded as one of the most extensive social schemes.
PMAYG Objective: The objective of PMAYG is to offer financial aid to people from the economically marginalized section to have access to housing infrastructure providers. Beneficiaries of PMAYG are ensured not only permanent housing but also additional amenities such as electricity, LPG, and road connectivity.
Under the ambitious 'Housing for All' program, a 25-square-meter pucca (permanent) house will be built, and the accompanying comforts will be provided. In 2019, the Minister for Rural Development reviewed this scheme, and recent studies indicate that the Pradhan Mantri Gramin Awaas Yojana has made substantial progress toward achieving its objectives.
In hilly states, particularly in the Northern States, contribution levels have a ratio of 90:10, of which the Central Government provides 90 per cent of the funding. The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir also accords to the same provisions. For these regions, the total sum that will be made available is Rs 1.30 Lakh, which will be utilized for constructing permanent housing.
All other Union Territories will receive full funding (100 per cent) from the Central Government. The specific breakdown of the total costs incurred is not given.
The PMAY Gramin scheme aims to replace all existing non-permanent housing units, significantly enhancing the living conditions of the rural poor.
For constructing permanent toilets alongside their house each beneficiary will receive an additional financial assistance of Rs 12,000. This additional assistance will be covered under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Gramin or SBM-G. It will ensure that maximum rural inhabitants have access to hygienic living conditions. Dedicated to improving access to sanitized living conditions, this initiative is a key component of the government's flagship program.
Under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), all beneficiaries of this scheme will also be eligible to receive Rs 90.95 per day for unskilled labor.
The beneficiaries will be determined based on their social indicators as assessed by the Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC). The respective gram sabhas will oversee data verification and will pass that information to the administration.
