THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state govt has again asked the Centre to reconsider requiring Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY)—Urban housing scheme beneficiaries to display the programme’s logo on their homes.
Local self-govt and excise minister MB Rajesh raised this concern during a meeting with Union housing and urban affairs minister Manohar Lal Khattar. Rajesh argued that the branding requirement affects beneficiaries’ dignity and self-respect.
This is a continuing issue—-Kerala had previously written to the Centre in Nov 2023, stating that housing is a basic right rather than charity. “We refrained from branding our state housing scheme, as it could imply charity and affect the dignity of beneficiaries. Our commitment is to uphold democratic values and ensure a dignified life for all,” Rajesh had stated in his earlier letter to the then Union minister who was handling the subject.
The dispute has escalated since the Centre warned it might withhold PMAY funding if logos aren’t displayed. Kerala, which combines PMAY with its LIFE Mission housing programme, noted that both state and local bodies contribute significantly to these homes, providing Rs 4 lakh per house.
Besides opposing the logo requirement, Kerala has requested the Centre release Rs 687 crore currently withheld from the state’s urban local bodies. During their meeting, Rajesh also invited Khattar to attend two upcoming events in Kerala: The ‘Vrithi’ Sanitation Conclave in Thiruvananthapuram (April) and the Urban Conclave in Kochi (May).
