Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana Urban (PMAY-U) and Allied Schemes: 

19 Aug 2023 Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana Urban (PMAY-U) and Allied Schemes: 

This article covers “Daily Current Affairs” and the topic details “ Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana Urban (PMAY-U) and Allied Schemes ”. The topic “ Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana Urban (PMAY-U) and Allied Schemes ” has relevance in the Social Justice section of the UPSC CSE exam.

For Prelims:

About Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana Urban (PMAY-U)?

For Mains:

GS 2: Social Justice

Significance of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana Urban (PMAY-U)?

Why in the news:

Recently, during his address on the occasion of the 77th Independence Day, the Prime Minister introduced a novel scheme designed to mitigate the pressing housing challenges experienced by the urban underprivileged population.

This fresh scheme serves as a complementary effort to the existing Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana Urban (PMAY-U), a cornerstone government program initiated back in 2015.

 

Introduction:

Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana Urban (PMAY-U) is a flagship government initiative executed under the aegis of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) in response to the acute shortage of urban housing among economically disadvantaged segments. 

With the mission to ensure affordable housing for all, the PMAY-U aims to provide “pucca” (durable and permanent) houses to eligible urban households by the year 2022. Recognizing the importance of completing all sanctioned houses, the scheme has been extended until December 2024, without altering funding patterns and implementation methodologies.

 

Target Beneficiaries:

The PMAY-U has been meticulously designed to cater to the diverse housing needs of different income groups:

• Economically Weaker Section (EWS): Maximum annual family income of Rs. 3,00,000
• Low Income Group (LIG): Maximum annual family income of Rs. 6,00,000
• Middle Income Groups (MIG I & II): Maximum annual family income of Rs. 18,00,000

 

Components of PMAY-U:

 

In-situ Slum Redevelopment (ISSR):

• ISSR stands as a pivotal program that offers Central Assistance of Rs. 1 lakh per dwelling for qualified slum residents during the process of redevelopment. 
• This unique approach emphasizes collaboration between private developers and government authorities, transforming land into a valuable resource.

 

Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme (CLSS):

• The CLSS component of PMAY-U plays a significant role in promoting homeownership among economically disadvantaged segments. Beneficiaries from EWS/LIG and Middle Income Groups (MIG)-I and MIG-II seeking housing loans for purchasing, constructing, or enhancing homes are entitled to interest subsidies. 
• These subsidies vary based on the loan amount:

• 6.5% on loan amount up to Rs. 6 Lakh
• 4% on loan amount up to Rs. 9 Lakh
• 3% on loan amount up to Rs. 12 Lakh

• The Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO), National Housing Bank (NHB), and State Bank of India (SBI) serve as designated Central Nodal Agencies (CNAs), responsible for channeling the subsidy through lending institutions while ensuring progress monitoring.

 

Affordable Housing in Partnership (AHP):

• The AHP component addresses the need for affordable housing projects. It provides Central Assistance of Rs. 1.5 lakh for each Economically Weaker Section (EWS) household. To qualify for Central Assistance, affordable housing projects must allocate at least 35% of the homes for the EWS category. States and Union Territories (UTs) establish an upper ceiling on the sale price of EWS homes to ensure affordability.

 

Beneficiary-led Individual House Construction/ Enhancement (BLC-N/ BLC-E):

 

• This component empowers eligible Economically Weaker Section (EWS) families by providing up to Rs. 1.5 lakh as Central Assistance for constructing or improvement of individual houses. 
• The process involves thorough verification by Urban Local Bodies, confirming land ownership, economic status, and eligibility.

 

Women Empowerment and Progress:

• PMAY-U takes a progressive step by promoting women’s empowerment through house ownership. Houses are registered in the name of a female member or jointly, enhancing gender equality in housing.

 

Progress Under PMAY-U:

As of the latest available information, the PMAY-U initiative has successfully completed construction on a total of 118.9 lakh houses, with 76.25 lakh of these units currently being inhabited.

Related Initiatives:

 

• Affordable Rental Housing Complexes (ARHCs): MoHUA introduced ARHCs as a sub-scheme under PMAY-U. This initiative aims to provide affordable rental housing to urban migrants and the poor, enabling them to access dignified living spaces close to their workplaces.
• ANGIKAAR Campaign: Launched on Gandhi Jayanti in 2019, this campaign emphasizes community mobilization and Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) activities. It promotes best practices in areas such as water conservation, waste management, and sanitation among PMAY(U) beneficiaries.
• Global Housing Technology Challenge: India (GHTC India): MoHUA initiated GHTC India to identify innovative and sustainable construction technologies for the housing sector.

 

Significance of the schemes:

 

Addressing Urban Housing Shortage:

• PMAY-U directly targets the acute shortage of affordable urban housing, which has been a persistent challenge for economically disadvantaged segments. 
• By offering a comprehensive solution, the scheme aims to ensure that vulnerable urban households have access to dignified and permanent housing options.

 

 Promoting Inclusive Growth:

• The initiative is aligned with the principle of inclusive growth by catering to individuals across income groups, including the Economically Weaker Section (EWS), Low Income Group (LIG), and Middle Income Groups (MIG). This focus on equitable housing distribution contributes to reducing economic disparities.

 

Empowering Women:

• PMAY-U emphasizes women’s empowerment by ensuring that houses are registered in the name of female members or jointly. 
• This move not only addresses gender equality concerns but also enhances the social and economic standing of women in households.

 

Alleviating Poverty and Improving Quality of Life:

• Access to secure housing directly impacts the quality of life of beneficiaries. PMAY-U not only provides shelter but also contributes to poverty reduction by creating a stable foundation for families to focus on education, livelihood, and overall well-being.

 

Supporting Economic Growth:

• The scheme’s thrust on housing construction and related industries creates employment opportunities and stimulates economic growth. 
• PMAY-U contributes to job creation and economic expansion in construction sector to allied industries such as cement, steel, and transportation, 

 

Aligning with Sustainable Development Goals:

• PMAY-U aligns with United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11, which focuses on making cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. 
• The program’s focus on housing redevelopment and development leads to improved urban infrastructure. Through various components like ISSR and AHP, the scheme targets the transformation of slum areas into well-organized housing clusters. This not only enhances living conditions but also contributes to the overall aesthetics and hygiene of urban areas.

 

SOURCE:https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/pm-modi-announces-new-scheme-to-help-urban-poor-build-houses/article67197697.ece

Yojna daily current affairs eng med 19th August 2023

 

Q.1 Consider the following statements regarding Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana Urban (PMAY-U)

1. The PMAY-U was introduced  to provide “pucca” houses to eligible urban households. 
2. It provides subsidies in housing loans only for the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) household.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

 

ANSWER: A

 

Q.2 Consider the following statements regarding Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana Urban (PMAY-U)

1. It is also applicable to Middle Income Groups (MIG).
2. It offers Central Assistance of Rs. 1 lakh per dwelling for qualified slum residents during the process of redevelopment.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

 

ANSWER: C

 

Q.3 Discuss the objectives, components, and impact of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana Urban (PMAY-U) in addressing the housing needs of economically disadvantaged urban households in India.