PM Awas Yojana: Everyone wants to have their own permanent home, but with inflation these days, that dream can be tough to achieve. To help with this, the central government has launched the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Prime Minister Housing Scheme), which offers financial support to urban poor and middle-class families looking to build or buy a home. However, there have been some major updates to the rules of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban 2.0). Let’s break down who gets the funds and what changes have been made.
When did the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana start?
The central government kicked off the urban version of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Prime Minister Housing Scheme) on April 1, 2016. The second phase, PMAY-U 2.0, rolled out on September 1, 2024. This phase aims to provide permanent housing for EWS, LIG, and MIG families living in urban areas over the next five years.
Who qualifies for the PM Awas Yojana funds?
The PM Awas Yojana is designed for the economically weaker sections, low-income groups, and middle-income groups. For this scheme, individuals in the EWS category need to have an annual income of up to Rs 3 lakh, those in the lower income group can earn up to Rs 6 lakh, and middle-class individuals can have an income of up to Rs 9 lakh. Beneficiaries can receive assistance of up to Rs 2.5 lakh for home construction, which includes Rs 1.5 lakh from the central government and Rs 1 lakh from the state government. There’s also an interest subsidy of up to Rs 1.8 lakh available. Slum dwellers, street vendors, and working women are prioritized under this scheme.
What major changes have occurred in the rules?
Regarding the PM Awas Yojana, the government has clarified that only those who owned land before August 31, 2024, will be eligible for the scheme. Those who purchase or register land after this date will not be eligible for the home construction funds. Furthermore, the land must be in a residential area. Land outside residential areas will not be eligible for the PM Awas Yojana benefits.
Additionally, an eligibility beneficiary certificate has been made mandatory to receive funds under the PM Awas Yojana. Applicants must register on the scheme’s official portal. Following registration, a team from the municipal corporation or local body will conduct physical verification. A certificate will be issued only if the verification is found to be correct, and the amount will be disbursed in four installments based on this.
What documents will be required?
To prove eligibility, applicants must demonstrate that they were living there before the specified date. This may require electricity or water bills from before August 31, 2024, municipal property tax receipts, or documents showing their names on the old voter list. The government is also conducting verification through geo-tagging and satellite imaging.