Housing Ministry Wants 3-Fold Hike in Funds This Budget: Sources
“The ministry has sought a 3-fold hike in fund allocation for Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban),” a source said.
advertisement
The Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry has sought a nearly three-fold increase in allocation of funds in the Budget this year for its Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) (PMAY-U), an official source had said.
The central government aims to construct 1.2 crore houses for the urban poor under the Narendra Modi government's flagship scheme. So far, the construction of 37.5 lakh houses have been approved under the scheme.
In the Budget 2017-18, the scheme was allocated Rs 6,200 crore. "Talks were on at the highest level and the ministry is expected to be allocated around Rs 17,000 crore," he said.
Keeping in view that the programme has to be completed by 2022, the ministry has laid special emphasis on its funding in the Budget proposal, the source said.
The ministry is adopting a multi-pronged strategy to give momentum to the scheme, a housing ministry official said. The official said the focus is on adopting technology that offers "affordable, sustainable houses and scalability".
The technology selected will be deployed to construct affordable houses across India. Under PMAY (U), people can avail benefits under various components to buy a house in urban areas.
(We Indians have much to talk about these days. But what would you tell India if you had the chance? Pick up the phone and write or record your Letter To India. Don’t be silent, tell her how you feel. Mail us your letter at lettertoindia@thequint.com. We’ll make sure India gets your message.)
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)