The Indian Government launched the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) scheme in 2015 to provide financial assistance to the financially backward section of society for the construction of affordable houses. This scheme was started to ensure that both the rural and urban households have their residence with basic amenities. This way, the government envisaged reducing the plight of its socio-economically vulnerable citizens.
- As of June 2022, the government has sanctionedRs.122.69 lakh and more than 2.2 crores of houses in urban and rural areas, respectively, through this PMAY scheme (1), (2).
Subsections of the PMAY scheme
The government has categorised this PMAY scheme into two sections to target beneficiaries efficiently. One is for the urban population (PMAY-Urban), and the other is for the rural citizens (PMAY-Gramin).
Nevertheless, aspects like eligibility criteria, scheme benefits, etc., are not similar for both these two sections. In fact, for registration and management, each has a different government portal.
Eligibility criteria to be enlisted as a beneficiary of PMAY
As mentioned earlier, the eligibility criteria for this PMAY scheme are different for rural and urban citizens. Individuals can find these below:
- Eligibility requirement for PMAY-Urban
Annual household income is one of the major determinant factors of being eligible under this scheme. Income groups, including economically weaker section (EWS), low-income group (LIG), and middle-income groups (MIG 1 and 2), can enjoy the scheme benefit if their annual incomes are as follows:
- EWS: Up to Rs. 3 lakh per annum
- LIG: Rs.3-6 lakh per annum
- MIG 1: Rs. 6-12 lakh per annum
- MIG 2: Rs. 12 to 18 lakh per annum
Besides income, beneficiaries must not have a pucca house, or they must not enjoy benefits under any other government housing schemes.
- Eligibility requirement for PMAY-Gramin
The government examines the Socio-Economic and Caste Census of 2011(SECC 2011) data to determine rural beneficiaries under this scheme. The Gramin Sabha is the concerned authority who maintains this record. Individuals need to meet the following requirements in order to be listed under this SECC database:
- Families with kutcha houses
- Households without literate male adults above the age of 25
- Families do not have members in the age group of 15 to 59
- Families having no land for farming and labour as the only income source
- Households with disabled members
- Applicants belonging from minority section
How to apply for the PMAY scheme
Here is a stepwise application process following which eligible individuals from the urban area can get themselves enrolled:
Step 1: Go to the official website of PMAY-Urban
Step 2: Navigate to ‘Citizen Assessment’
Step 3: Tap on ‘Apply Online’
Step 4: Select the appropriate option among In Situ Slum Redevelopment/Affordable Housing Partnership/ Beneficiary List Construction/Credit Linked Subsidy scheme
Step 5: Enter Aadhaar details and click on ‘Check’
Step 6: Fill in the survey form that will appear on the next screen
Step 7: Enter CAPTCHA code and tap on ‘Save’
At this, individuals can get their ‘Assessment ID’, which they need to save or note down for future references. This way, they will complete their application process.
Individuals from the rural area need to follow the steps mentioned below to be registered under this scheme:
Step 1:Visit the official website of PMAY-Gramin
Step 2:Click on ‘Awaassoft’
Step 3: Select ‘Data Entry’
Step 4: Tap on ‘DATA ENTRY for AWAAS+’
Step 5: Log in with user credentials
Step 6: Find ‘PMAY-G Registration’
Step 7: Fill in the registration form appropriately
Step 8: Click on ‘Submit’
After this, individuals will get their registration number which they must save for future references.
In this regard, individuals also need to know the documents they must keep handy while applying for registration under this government scheme.
Documents required while applying for the PMAY scheme
Here are the documents individuals need during the online registration process:
- Identity proof: Voter ID card, driving license, Aadhaar card, passport, etc.
- Address proof: Ration card, Aadhaar card, etc.
- Property documents: Copy of allotment letter, receipt of payment, sales agreement paper, etc.
- Additional documents: Marriage certificate, death certificate of spouse (for widows)
Now, individuals also need to be aware of what advantages they will get as a beneficiary of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.
Benefits of the PMAY scheme
Following are some major benefits of the PMAY scheme:
- Financial assistance for home construction
Beneficiaries from the rural area get Rs.1.2 and Rs. 1.3 lakh if they are from plain areas or hilly states, respectively. With this scheme, urban beneficiaries can get housing assistance of Rs.1.5 lakh.
- Subsidised home loans
Under the Credit-Linked Subsidy Scheme (CLSS) of PMAY-Rural, beneficiaries can avail of a 3-6.5% home loan subsidy. The concerned authority transfers the amount to the primary lending institutions. As a result, the EMI of the home loan decreases significantly, ensuring comfortable loan repayment for the beneficiaries.
In this regard, individuals also need to know when they become eligible for the CLSS benefits.
Beneficiaries get the subsidised housing loan if they meet the following factors:
- The total annual family income (including earnings of the spouse) is between Rs. 6 to Rs. 8lakh
- The beneficiary or his/her spouse does not own a house
- The individual gets the assistance for construction of new homes only
Thus, individuals can get direct monetary assistance or subsidised home loans after enlisting themselves under the PMAY scheme. Nevertheless, individuals must meet the eligibility criteria for subsidised loan offers.
In fact, the financial assistance under this government programme may be insufficient. They may need extra credit to add basic facilities or features to their dream house. With a home loan, they can easily raise the fund needed for constructing their house.
Moreover, existing borrowers can also avail their pre-approved offers. Several lending institutions extend these special offers on their financial products, such as home loans and loans against property. Intending borrowers can significantly quicken their loan application process by availing these tailored loan offers. They just have to provide their names and contact details to check their pre-approved offers from the lender’s website.
In conclusion, the Government of India has aimed to ease the effort of citizens to own a house through the PMAY scheme. Beneficiaries get financial support to build their house with basic amenities. They can also opt for subsidised housing loans (CLSS programme) to raise enough funds for home construction. Through this CLSS facility, the government has tried to assist beneficiaries in their home loan repayment.
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