LUCKNOW: Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya said on Tuesday that the state govt has set a target of constructing 30 lakh more houses under the Centre’s ambitious PM Awas Yojana – Rural.
The Centre plans to construct another two crore houses in the next phase of the scheme which is set to be accelerated in the 2025-26 fiscal.
Speaking exclusively to TOI, Maurya, who holds the rural development portfolio, said that the survey of the new beneficiaries is underway and is scheduled to be completed by March 31.
“Our aim is 100% coverage of rural populace under the scheme. And we would put up our entire effort in achieving it,” he said.
Maurya said that an online survey of beneficiaries using the newly launched Awas Plus app, is underway in the rural areas of UP. The survey is scheduled to be completed by March end. The app, equipped with face authentication and unique login features for Gram Panchayat secretaries, ensures a fair and transparent selection process for beneficiaries. Rural families can, in fact, self-register through the app, making the process more accessible and inclusive, an official said.
A key highlight of the scheme this time is the expansion of eligibility criteria. Families earning up to Rs 15,000 per month are now eligible for the scheme, an increase from the earlier limit of Rs 10,000.
This revision also removes prior disqualifications for owning items such as a mobile phone, refrigerator, or motorcycle.
The state govt has been lending an additional push for implementation of the scheme through Gram Chaupals which are being organised in two villages of every block every Friday. Maurya said that From Dec 30, 2022, till now, 1.24 lakh Gram Chaupals have been organized, in which more than 4.67 lakh problems have been resolved.
The deputy CM said that 98% of the 36 lakh houses which were being constructed under the existing phase of PMAY scheme have been completed. Maurya claimed that the UP topped the chart in construction of houses under the PMAY-rural in the country.
The PMAY-G scheme was initiated on April 1, 2016, to provide assistance to 4.95 crore eligible rural households with basic amenities by March 2029.
As of Feb, a cumulative target of 3.79 crore houses have been allotted to States/UTs out of which 3.34 crore houses have been sanctioned and 2.69 crore houses have been completed.
Maurya said that the steps taken by the BJP govt at the Centre will play a key role in pulling out an additional 15 crore people from poverty in the country.
