Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana- Urban

Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) (PMAY-U is a flagship housing scheme launched by the Government of India in June 2015. The primary objective of this initiative is to provide affordable housing to the urban poor, with a target of constructing 2 crore (20 million) housing units by 31 March 2022. The scheme operates under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA).

Vision and Mission

The vision of PMAY-U is to ensure “Housing for All” by providing economically weaker sections (EWS) and low-income groups (LIG) with access to affordable, sustainable, and resilient housing in urban areas. The mission aims to address the housing shortage among the urban poor while promoting inclusive and equitable growth in cities across India.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for PMAY-U, beneficiaries must belong to the EWS or LIG categories, with an annual household income of up to ₹3 lakh and ₹6 lakh, respectively. The scheme also extends to Middle Income Groups (MIG) with annual household incomes between ₹6 lakh and ₹18 lakh. Beneficiaries should not own a pucca house in any part of India to qualify for the scheme.

Implementation Models

PMAY-U is implemented through four key verticals:

• In-situ Slum Redevelopment (ISSR): This model aims to rehabilitate slum dwellers by providing them with housing units at the same location, either through private sector participation or with the help of government land.
• Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme (CLSS): Under CLSS, beneficiaries from EWS, LIG, and MIG categories can avail interest subsidies on home loans from banks, housing finance companies, and other such institutions.
• Affordable Housing in Partnership (AHP): This model encourages private sector participation in the construction of affordable housing projects, with the government providing financial assistance, land, or other incentives.
• Beneficiary-Led Construction or Enhancement (BLC/E): Under this model, beneficiaries can construct or enhance their homes with financial assistance from the government.

Progress and Achievements

• As of November 2023, 78.15 lakh houses have been constructed or delivered under PMAY-U
• 118.63 lakh houses have been sanctioned under PMAY-U, with 113.43 lakh of those grounded for construction
• PMAY-U has covered 4,500 cities and towns
• PMAY-U has covered 1.22 crore houses under four verticals: ISSR, CLSS, AHP, and BLC
• PMAY-U has covered 183 ongoing projects from the Rajiv Awas Yojna (RAY)
• PMAY-U has achieved 10 times more in 4.5 years than the earlier JnNURM scheme

Challenges and Criticisms

Despite its successes, PMAY-U has faced several challenges and criticisms. These include:

• Land availability issues in urban areas
• Delays in project completion and allotment of houses
• Concerns regarding the quality of construction and infrastructure
• Allegations of corruption and mismanagement in certain projects

Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) has made significant strides in addressing the housing shortage among the urban poor in India. While challenges persist, the schemes multi-pronged approach and collaborative efforts between the central government, state governments, and private sector stakeholders have the potential to transform the urban housing landscape in the country.