New Delhi: Union Rural Development and Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan today chaired a video conference with Rural Development Ministers from various states to finalize preparations for a significant event under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G). The highlight of the event, to be held on September 15 in Jamshedpur (Jharkhand), will see Prime Minister Narendra Modi releasing an installment of ₹2,745 crore to lakhs of beneficiaries. During the event, acceptance letters will also be distributed to all the targeted beneficiaries for the financial year 2024-25.
The meeting, attended by senior officials from the Ministry of Rural Development, focused on ensuring smooth execution of the program. Chouhan directed the state officials to ensure large-scale participation, with millions expected to join both in-person and online. The Union Minister emphasized the Modi government’s commitment to uplifting the poor, with PMAY-G being a critical step in achieving that goal.
“Every Poor Must Have a Home” Chouhan highlighted Prime Minister Modi’s vision to ensure that every poor family in rural India owns a home. He announced that the central government plans to construct 2 crore additional houses over the next five years, expanding the scope of the scheme to address the growing need for rural housing.
The Union Minister shared that the original target under PMAY-G was to build 2.95 crore houses by March 2024, out of which 2.65 crore houses have already been completed. On September 15, the government will facilitate the Griha Pravesh (housewarming) ceremony for 26 lakh beneficiaries whose homes have been finished in the financial years 2023-24 and 2024-25. Prime Minister Modi will also interact with beneficiaries during the event.
2 Crore New Homes with ₹3.06 Lakh Crore Allocation Chouhan revealed that the new initiative to construct 2 crore additional homes would require an investment of over ₹3.06 lakh crore. He noted that the rules of the scheme have been simplified to ensure no eligible family is excluded. Exclusion criteria such as owning motorized two-wheelers, fishing boats, refrigerators, and landline phones have been removed, and the monthly income limit for eligibility has been raised from ₹10,000 to ₹15,000.
In addition, land ownership criteria have been relaxed, making it easier for rural families to qualify for the scheme. Chouhan stressed that these amendments, made after consultations with states and stakeholders, aim to fully realize the objective of “Housing for All.”
Comprehensive Housing Solutions for a Poverty-Free Village The Minister emphasized that the government’s goal goes beyond merely providing housing. Under PMAY-G, beneficiaries also receive 90-95 days of wages through MGNREGA for building their homes. Coordination with other welfare schemes such as the Swachh Bharat Mission, Ujjwala Yojana, and Saubhagya Yojana ensures that these homes come equipped with toilets, cooking gas, and electricity.
In an innovative move, the government is also working to reduce electricity bills for beneficiaries by providing solar rooftop connections under the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar: Free Electricity Scheme. According to Chouhan, every house constructed under PMAY-G is a fully equipped, modern home, marking a step towards a poverty-free village and a developed India.