Pune: In a major push for rural housing, Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah distributed sanction letters to 20 lakh beneficiaries and the first installment to 10 lakh beneficiaries under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Gramin (Phase-2) at an event in Pune, Maharashtra. The event was attended by Union Minister of State for Cooperation Murlidhar Mohol, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, along with several dignitaries.
Addressing the gathering, Amit Shah praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, stating that for the first time in India’s history, 20 lakh houses have been allocated simultaneously. He emphasized that the joint efforts of the central and state governments have turned the dream of homeownership into reality for millions of people. He further highlighted that apart from the houses, beneficiaries will receive essential amenities such as toilets, solar panels, and gas cylinders, underscoring the government’s commitment to improving the overall living conditions of the poor.
Amit Shah noted that Maharashtra has been allotted the highest number of houses under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana Phase-2. He said that these homes symbolize development and serve as a stepping stone for the future generations of beneficiary families. He reiterated that Prime Minister Modi has set a target to make India a fully developed nation by 2047, ensuring that every citizen has access to shelter and basic infrastructure.
He also pointed out that the “Housing for All” initiative aims to provide five crore houses to women, backward classes, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and economically weaker sections by 2029. Out of this, 3.8 crore families have already been provided homes. Maharashtra, which was initially allotted 13.5 lakh houses, has now received an increased allocation of 19.5 lakh houses, with necessary arrangements in place to ensure their timely construction and distribution.
During his speech, Amit Shah outlined the Modi government’s broader welfare initiatives, emphasizing that free food grains have been provided to millions of people for the past 10 years, while four crore families have received houses and electricity connections. He added that 13 crore toilets have been constructed to enhance dignity, particularly for women, while 36 crore Ayushman Bharat cards have ensured access to healthcare. One crore women have been empowered through the “Lakhpati Didi” scheme, helping them achieve financial independence. He also stated that 25 crore people have been lifted out of poverty due to these progressive policies.
Shah also spoke about Maharashtra’s infrastructure development under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi and the state’s political leadership. He highlighted key projects, including 11 Vande Bharat trains launched in the state, 128 railway stations undergoing redevelopment under the Amrit Bharat Scheme, and the rapid expansion of metro projects in Mumbai, Pune, and Nagpur. He also mentioned new airports being developed in Shirdi and Sindhudurg and hailed the Atal Setu Trans-Harbour Link as a world-class engineering achievement.
He further emphasized that India’s largest container port is being developed in Maharashtra with an investment of ₹76,000 crore, which will make it the biggest port in the world. He concluded by stating that the government is committed to making Maharashtra a key player in India’s economic progress through infrastructure development and social welfare programs.
