Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) (PMAY-U) Scheme

GS-2 Mains : Govt. Schemes

Revision Notes 

 

Question : Discuss the objectives, components, progress, and challenges of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) (PMAY-U) scheme, and evaluate its effectiveness in addressing the urban housing shortage in India

Context:

• Urban housing shortage: 3 million (as per recent government estimates).

About PMAY-U Scheme:

• Launched in 2015 by MoHUA as a flagship Centrally Sponsored Scheme.
• Aims to provide affordable housing to urban poor (EWS, LIG, MIG).

Objectives:

• Address urban housing shortage for EWS, LIG, MIG & slum dwellers.
• Rehabilitate slum dwellers with private developers’ participation.
• Promote affordable housing through Credit Linked Subsidy Schemes.
• Provide subsidy for Beneficiary-led Construction (BLC).
• Ensure ‘pucca house’ for all eligible urban households by 2022.

Coverage:

• Entire urban area including Statutory Towns, Development Authorities etc.

Components (Four Verticals):

1. In-situ Slum Redevelopment (ISSR):Slum dweller rehabilitation with private developers.
2. Affordable Housing in Partnership (AHP):Promotes affordable housing for weaker sections through public-private partnerships.
3. Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme (CLSS):Provides interest subsidy on housing loans to beneficiaries.
4. Beneficiary-led Construction (BLC):Provides central assistance for house construction or enhancement.

Additional Initiatives by MoHUA under PMAY:

• Affordable Rental Housing Complexes (ARHCs):Provides affordable rental housing to urban migrants/poor near workplaces.
• Global Housing Technology Challenge – India (GHTC-India):Identifies innovative sustainable construction technologies.

Progress of PMAY-U Scheme (as of April 2024):

• Houses sanctioned: 118.64 lakh
• Houses grounded: 114.15 lakh
• Houses completed: 82.16 lakh
• Central Assistance Committed: ₹2 Lakh Cr
• Central Assistance Released: ₹163926 Cr
• Total Investment: ₹8.07 Lakh Cr

Challenges:

• Housing Shortage:Increased from 1.88 crore in 2012 to 2.9 crore in 2018 (shortfall of 40 lakh from sanctioned & completed houses).
• Implementation Issues:
  • In-situ Slum Redevelopment (ISSR) has underperformed (only 2,10,552 houses sanctioned).
  • Even if completed by Dec 2024, ISSR would address only 37% of the need.
• Unmet Targets:PMAY-U has addressed only 25.15% of the shortage (delivered 80 lakh homes).

Future of PMAY Scheme:

• Extended till Dec 2024 for completion of sanctioned houses.
• The current housing program (merger of Rajiv Awas Yojana & PMAY) hasn’t achieved ‘Housing for All’ despite significant spending.

Conclusion:

• PMAY-U is a step towards ‘Housing for All’ but faces challenges.
• The scheme highlights complexities of urban development and the need for better solutions.