In a significant move aimed at bolstering the supply of affordable housing and advancing the ‘Housing for All’ mission, the government has sanctioned assistance for the construction of an additional 3 crore houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY).
Launched in June 2015, PMAY has already made substantial strides in providing housing solutions across urban and rural India. The expansion of PMAY is poised to have a profound multiplier effect on the economy, given the real estate sector’s extensive linkages with over 250 ancillary industries. The mission’s objective aligns closely with the government’s commitment to ensuring housing for every eligible family in the country. Earlier this year, in the interim budget announcement, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman earmarked support for the construction of an additional 2 crore homes under PMAY – Gramin (PMAY Rural) over the next five years. This augmentation underscores the government’s proactive approach to meeting the evolving housing needs of rural populations.
Under the PMAY scheme, central assistance is provided to implementing agencies through states, Union Territories (UTs), and Central Nodal Agencies (CNAs). This financial support is crucial for facilitating the construction of houses for eligible beneficiaries, with over 4.21 crore houses completed under the scheme in the past decade. While PMAY has demonstrated commendable outcomes, industry experts advocate for additional incentives such as interest subventions for developers and buyers to stimulate demand. Such measures could potentially catalyse growth within the housing market, enhancing overall economic activity.
The scheme categorizes beneficiaries into Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), Low-Income Groups (LIG), and Middle-Income Groups (MIG), based on their annual income caps. This inclusive approach ensures that housing solutions are accessible to all segments of society, with specific financial allocations tailored to each category’s needs. In December 2019, the cumulative investment in housing projects sanctioned under PMAY amounted to approximately Rs 6.13 lakh crore, with substantial central assistance provided to support construction efforts. This financial backing plays a pivotal role in accelerating housing development and promoting socio-economic inclusion across the nation.
Moreover, the government’s emphasis on affordable housing, coupled with infrastructure development and improved connectivity, has yielded positive outcomes in tier 2 and 3 cities as well as peripheral areas of metropolitan regions. These initiatives are integral to fostering balanced regional growth and enhancing living standards nationwide. As PMAY continues to expand its footprint, the outlook for the affordable housing sector remains optimistic, with expectations of sustained growth and development in India’s urban and rural landscapes.
