KOCHI: Implementation of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY Urban 2) housing scheme, which is designed for economically backward sections in urban areas, is stalled as state govt is yet to sign a memorandum with Union govt in this regard. Current scheme is set to expire in Dec.
Services of Kudumbashree, the nodal agency, and officials appointed for this purpose will end in March. Corporation lacks a clear plan on how to proceed with the project thereafter.
Kerala has refrained from signing the memorandum due to a dispute over central govt’s branding requirement on completed houses. Union govt has insisted that it will provide its share of funds only if branding as a PMAY scheme is erected on each house.
Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan has repeatedly stated that installing any boards on houses constructed under the scheme is not right and state govt is not willing to accept this.
So far, construction of around 5,755 houses has been completed in Kochi under the PMAY-Life scheme. Construction of 1,200 houses is in various stages and around 500 applications still need to be considered under the old scheme.
Due to the prevailing uncertainties regarding the scheme, fresh applications are not being accepted by corporation. There is also a concern that ongoing projects might be affected if central assistance is halted.
