A home, a hope: CM Awas Yojana transforms rural lives in Himachal

The Himachal Pradesh Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, is actively advancing its vision of a welfare state through a range of people-centric initiatives. Among them, the Mukhyamantri Awas Yojana (CM Housing Scheme) has emerged as a beacon of hope for below poverty line (BPL) families in rural areas, offering crucial financial assistance to help them build permanent homes.

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Under the scheme, eligible BPL families receive a grant of Rs 1.5 lakh, disbursed in three installments: Rs 65,000 at the start of construction, Rs 45,000 upon reaching the lintel level and Rs 40,000 upon completion of the house.

According to Abhishek Mittal, Project Officer at the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA), Sirmaur, 103 houses have been sanctioned since the current government took office. In 2022-23, 65 houses were approved with Rs 97.5 lakh sanctioned; in 2023-24, 22 houses with Rs 33 lakh and in 2024-25, 16 houses with Rs 24 lakh. Of these, 81 houses have been completed and 22 are in the final stages of construction.

In the Nahan block, Block Development Officer Parmjeet Singh reported that 11 houses were sanctioned in 2022-23, three in 2023-24 and two in 2024-25 — all of which have been completed. A total of Rs 16.5 lakh has been disbursed in this block alone.

The impact of the scheme is best reflected in the lives it has touched. Jamna Devi, a widow from Kanyari village, shared her journey with quiet pride. After losing her husband in 2019, she struggled to provide shelter for her two young sons. “We had no proper place to live,” she recalled. In 2024, with the Rs 1.5 lakh support from the CM Awas Yojana, she was finally able to build a modest but dignified home that includes a room, kitchen and toilet. “Today, we feel safe,” she said gratefully.

In Gumti village, Sahil, a young man from the Scheduled Caste community, also spoke of the transformation the scheme brought to his family. Their old house had been crumbling and unsafe, but the financial assistance gave them the means to build a solid structure. “Thanks to the government’s support, we now have a proper roof over our heads,” he said.

A similar story came from Rajpal of Khairwala, a daily wage labourer struggling to support his family of six. For years, they lived in temporary conditions, unable to afford even basic repairs. In 2023, with help from the CM Awas Yojana, Rajpal built a permanent home — a milestone he once thought impossible. He extended heartfelt thanks to the Chief Minister for making it a reality.