Rural Housing Scheme

Rural housing schemes in India are government programmes that provide financial assistance to rural households for constructing or improving their homes. The primary scheme is Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana – Gramin (PMAY-G), which replaced the Indira Awaas Yojana (IAY) in 2016. These schemes target the homeless and those living in kutcha (non-permanent) houses in rural areas.

What Is PMAY-G?

Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana – Gramin aims to provide a pucca house with basic amenities to all homeless and kutcha house dwellers in rural India. The scheme provides direct financial assistance to eligible beneficiaries to construct houses.

Assistance Under PMAY-G

– **Plain area beneficiaries**: Rs 1.20 lakh per house
– **Hilly states, difficult terrain, and IAP districts**: Rs 1.30 lakh per house
– **Converged benefits**: beneficiaries also receive Rs 12,000 under Swachh Bharat Mission for a toilet, and employment under MGNREGS (90 days in plain areas, 95 days in hilly areas) to assist in construction

The assistance is transferred directly to the beneficiary’s bank account in instalments linked to construction progress.

Beneficiary Selection

Beneficiaries are selected using the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) 2011 data. Priority is given to:
– SC/ST families
– Freed bonded labourers
– Minorities
– Families with disabled members
– Families where no adult member is physically capable of work
– War widows and families of defence personnel killed in action

Housing Construction Standards

PMAY-G houses must:
– Be at least 25 square metres in size
– Have a kitchen area, a toilet (under Swachh Bharat Mission)
– Meet local material and structural standards
– Use geo-tagging and photo verification at each construction stage

Practical Example

Champa, a widow from a tribal community in Chhattisgarh, was identified under PMAY-G from the SECC data. She received Rs 1.30 lakh in three instalments as her house in hilly terrain was built progressively. MGNREGS provided 95 days of labour wages for her family members who helped build the house. She also received Rs 12,000 for a toilet under Swachh Bharat Mission.

Key Takeaways

– PMAY-G provides financial assistance of Rs 1.20 to Rs 1.30 lakh for rural house construction
– Beneficiaries are selected from SECC 2011 data, prioritising SC/ST, minorities, and other vulnerable groups
– Houses must meet minimum size and quality standards with kitchen and toilet facilities
– Funds are released in instalments based on construction progress verified through geo-tagging
– Converged benefits include MGNREGS labour support and Swachh Bharat Mission toilet grants