10 Lakh Houses Set to be Sanctioned Under PMAY-G in January 2025
The Rural Development Ministry has set ambitious targets for the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G) program in January 2025, with plans to sanction 10 lakh houses as part of its goals for the financial year 2024-25. The program aims to support Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of a poverty-free India by ensuring rural development and poverty reduction through timely execution of government schemes. This effort is an essential part of the government’s overarching goal to improve the lives of people in rural areas by providing them with permanent, secure housing solutions.
In a recent official meeting, the ministry emphasized the importance of establishing monthly goals to track and ensure the successful implementation of various rural development initiatives. Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the Rural Development Minister, highlighted that the ministry would focus on accelerating the completion of the PMAY-G houses, ensuring that all beneficiaries benefit from the scheme in a transparent and efficient manner. He reiterated the importance of fulfilling Prime Minister Modi’s pledge to create poverty-free villages across India.
For January, the ministry has committed to sanctioning 10 lakh houses, a move designed to align with the broader target for 2024-25. Additionally, the first installment of funding will be released to beneficiaries as part of the program’s efforts to address housing shortages in rural India. The Rural Development Ministry is also focusing on setting monthly targets to ensure the timely execution of projects under various government schemes, including Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), and National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM), among others.
PMAY-G was extended for another five years in August 2024, with a new target to construct an additional two crore houses between 2024 and 2029. As part of the extended scheme, eligibility rules have been revised to ensure that a greater number of families can benefit from the housing support. These changes have been designed to enhance the reach of the program, which already covers the construction of houses for rural poor families.
To further the government's goal of housing for all, the financial allocation for the PMAY-G program has also increased significantly, with the highest-ever budget of Rs 54,500 crore allocated for the fiscal year 2024-25. Despite the challenges, progress has been made, with 31.65 lakh houses being sanctioned in the current year, although the target of 42 lakh houses is yet to be fully met. Between June and December 2024, 4.19 lakh houses, including 71,000 houses under the PM Janman program, were completed, reflecting steady progress toward the program's objectives.
The Rural Development Ministry’s focus on delivering quality housing to rural citizens is a significant part of the broader rural development agenda, which includes various welfare schemes aimed at eradicating poverty and improving living standards. As the ministry sets its sights on achieving these goals within the first month of 2025, it remains committed to meeting the challenges of housing shortages, ensuring that rural citizens have access to homes that provide them with a sense of security and dignity.
In addition to the focus on housing, the ministry will continue to work towards strengthening other initiatives that contribute to the rural economy and infrastructure. The Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, which focuses on rural road connectivity, and the MGNREGS, which offers employment opportunities to rural families, will continue to be prioritized alongside housing.
