Pradhan Mantri Gramin Awas Yojana: Building Homes in Rural India

Pradhan Mantri Gramin Awas Yojana: Building Homes in Rural India

Launched in 2016, PMAY-G is the successor to the Indira Awas Yojana, a social welfare program introduced in 1985. PMAY-G aims to be more extensive, providing not only permanent housing but also basic amenities like electricity, LPG connections, and improved road connectivity.

Key Features of PMAY-G

• Cost-Sharing Between Government and States: The financial burden for building these houses is shared between the Central and State governments. In most states, the cost is divided in a 60:40 ratio, with the Central government contributing the larger share. However, hilly states and the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir receive a higher contribution of 90% from the Centre. Union Territories other than Jammu and Kashmir receive 100% funding from the Central government.
• Focus on Permanent Housing: PMAY-G prioritizes replacing temporary and inadequate housing units with pucca (permanent) houses. These houses are designed to be a minimum of 25 square meters and come equipped with a hygienic kitchen area.
• Financial Assistance for Toilets: Recognizing the importance of sanitation, the scheme provides an additional Rs. 12,000 per beneficiary for constructing toilets alongside each house. This additional funding comes under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Gramin (SBM-G), another government initiative promoting cleanliness in rural areas.
• Wage Support under MGNREGS: Beneficiaries can receive Rs. 90.95 per day as unskilled labour under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS). This provides additional financial support during the construction phase.
• Transparent Selection Process: PMAY-G emphasizes transparency in selecting beneficiaries. Socio-economic data from the Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC) is used to identify eligible families. Gram Sabhas (village councils) then verify the data and submit it to the administration for final approval.
• Direct Benefit Transfer: Payments are electronically transferred directly to the bank accounts of beneficiaries, ensuring funds reach those who truly need them. Aadhaar data is also used for verification purposes to minimize fraud.

PMAY-G Application

1. Visit the official PMAY-G website.
2. Provide personal details, including Aadhaar number, mobile number, and other relevant information.
3. Upload a signed consent letter (if applicable) authorizing the use of Aadhaar data.
4. Search your name on the beneficiary list to check your eligibility and priority status.
5. If eligible, register and update your details as needed.
6. If interested in a loan under the scheme, specify the loan amount.
7. Upload documents related to SBM and MGNREGS.

PMAY-G Benefits

The scheme offers a multitude of benefits to eligible families:

• Affordable Housing: Financial assistance from the government makes constructing a permanent house a more achievable goal for rural families.
• Subsidized Loans: Beneficiaries can avail of loans up to Rs. 70,000 from designated financial institutions at subsidized interest rates, lower than regular loan rates.
• Additional Support: The scheme provides support for constructing toilets and offers benefits like LPG connections under the Ujjwala Yojana. Houses built in hilly areas may also receive increased financial assistance.

Eligibility for PMAY-G

The scheme targets several categories of rural families who lack proper housing:

• Landless and homeless families.
• Families residing in dilapidated or non-permanent houses with walls and roofs made of impermanent materials.
• Households without a literate adult male member above 25 years old.
• Families without a member between the ages of 15 and 59.
• Households with disabled members.
• Families’ dependent on casual labour for income.
• Minority communities, Scheduled Tribes, and Scheduled Castes.

Required Documents

• Aadhaar card (original and self-attested copy

• A consent letter authorizing the use of Aadhaar data (only required if the beneficiary is illiterate and their thumbprint is submitted).
• MGNREGS job beneficiary card (duly registered).
• Bank account details (originals and duplicates).
• Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) number.