Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced an impending government scheme aimed at empowering urban middle-class families in India to own their homes. During his address at the 77th Independence Day celebration, Modi revealed plans for a program offering significant financial assistance to families living in rented accommodations, unauthorized colonies, and makeshift shanties in cities. This initiative will provide relief in bank loan interest rates, amounting to several lakhs of rupees, enabling these families to build their own homes. The scheme is designed to complement the existing Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana Urban (PMAY-U), which has already sanctioned housing for millions of urban poor residents.
In a significant move aimed at making homeownership a reality for urban middle-class families in India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an impending scheme to alleviate the financial burden associated with purchasing a home. Speaking at the 77th Independence Day celebration, the Prime Minister detailed plans for a program aimed at residents in urban areas who currently don’t own a house.
He acknowledged the struggles faced by impoverished individuals in cities who live without the security of their own home. "Middle-class families are dreaming of their own house in cities. We will soon launch a scheme for them," said the Prime Minister. This initiative, he revealed, is designed to offer substantial financial assistance, amounting to several lakhs of rupees, to families currently residing in rented accommodations, unauthorized colonies, and makeshift shanties within city limits.
This aid will come in the form of a substantial relief in bank loan interest rates, enabling families to build their own homes and break free from the cycle of rental payments and insecure living conditions.
As the Prime Minister elaborated, this new initiative is a distinct and complementary addition to the existing Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana Urban (PMAY-U). The PMAY-U, launched on June 25, 2015, has been a cornerstone of the government's housing policy. As per the Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry, as of July 31, 2023, this scheme has sanctioned 118.90 lakh houses based on project proposals from states and Union territories. Of these, 76.02 lakh units have been completed and handed over to beneficiaries.
The PMAY-U initiative encompasses four verticals—beneficiary-led construction, affordable housing in partnership, in-situ slum redevelopment, and credit-linked subsidy scheme—each targeted at different eligibility criteria. These verticals provide varying levels of support, such as fixed monetary contributions from the Central government and interest subsidies for economically weaker and low-income groups.
The deadline for PMAY-U, which was initially up until March 31, 2022, has been extended till December 31, 2024, for completion of all houses sanctioned till March 31, 2022. This extension applies to all components except the credit-linked subsidy scheme vertical, without any change in the funding pattern and implementation methodology of the scheme.
While the PMAY-U has been pivotal in empowering the urban poor with permanent housing solutions, the Prime Minister's announcement represents a pivotal expansion of support, this time focusing on middle-class families in urban regions who aspire to own a home.
In conclusion, the newly announced scheme signifies the government’s renewed commitment to facilitating urban homeownership, extending beyond the economically weaker sections of society to include the aspiring middle class. As cities expand and the cost of living rises, this initiative, as outlined by Prime Minister Modi, could potentially mark a transformative step towards creating more secure, stable, and financially empowered urban communities across India.
Advertisement
Facebook
Whatsapp
