Having an own house is a dream for millions of people in India. Since 2015, the government has been working through its Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) scheme to provide housing to the urban poor, rural poor, and other homeless sections of the society. The scheme was launched with the aim of constructing 20 million houses by 2020. But, as the country is under lockdown with the outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), housing targets have been delayed.

To achieve the aimed objective, the central government plans to introduce new guidelines for Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) and Swachh Bharat Mission once the Coronavirus-led quarantine is completed.

Government New Guidelines for PMAY Scheme

In a recent decision, the Central Government has declared that once the Coronavirus lockdown is over, it will formulate new measures for ambitious government initiatives, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and the Swachh Bharat. The decision was taken in consideration of the estimated higher demand for the post-lockdown housing and construction sector. Considering the increasing demand for housing, the Government is launching new Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to restart construction activities. 

As per the Union Minister for Housing and Urban Development, Hardeep Singh Puri, once the lockdown comes to an end, the providence of houses to the poor will be the government's priority. It aims to sanction 1.12 crore houses under the PMAY scheme. According to available official data, approximately 1.04 crore houses have been approved so far. Nearly 64 lakh housing units are under construction, and 33.5 lakh units have been completed.

The Government is also taking initiatives to facilitate plug-in and play infrastructure across the country for existing industrial lands, plots, and properties, and to provide the requisite funding support. Also, the central government is reconsidering on issuing an advisory to state governments and the Real Estate Regulation and Development Act (RERA) authorities to suggest ways to boost the depressed real estate sector.

BY: Shailaja K