Govt shortlists 2.25 lakh for affordable housing

Pradeep Sharma

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 20

In a major push to Narendra Modi government’s dream of housing for all by 2022, the state government has identified 2.25 lakh beneficiaries across 80 towns in the state under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY).

“The final proposal has been sent to the Centre for approval and budgetary allocations. The scheme will be put on fast track after approval. The government is committed to provide affordable housing to all,” Urban Local Bodies Minister Kavita Jain said here on Thursday.

The state government had conducted a survey to identify beneficiaries for providing affordable houses under PMAY to people living in urban areas of the state. As many as 3.60 lakh applications were received during the survey, of which 2.25 lakh beneficiaries were selected after security.

Officials said the selected beneficiaries fulfilled parameters such as living in urban areas and residents of the state as on June 17, 2015. Besides, they belonged to economically weaker sections, low and medium income group living in urban areas making them eligible for the credit-linked subsidy and affordable houses in the state, the officials said.

Under the current scheme, housing will be provided in five categories. It will include construction on plot, renovation and extension of existing house, bank loan for 30 square meter plot and plot benefits for those living in rented accommodations and slum dwellers living in colonies on government land for a long time.

In the meantime, Jain has directed the officials concerned to chalk out the modalities for the launch of the scheme once it is approved by the Central government. The housing scheme is likely to be launched on a public private partnership model by the state government.