TN risks delay in release of funds to build homes under PMAY

C SHIVAKUMAR @ CHENNAI:

The funds under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) for building homes for poor in Tamil Nadu could be delayed if the state fails to validate nearly two lakh applications received under PMAY-MIS portal.

According to official sources, the release of funds under PMAY-Urban is linked to the completion of entries in PMAY-MIS portal.

As on date 6.28 lakh online applications have been received from Common Service Centres (CSC) located in urban areas of the state and 1.95 lakh from PMAY-MIS portal.   

It is learnt that the Prime Minister, who is monitoring the applications, has asked the state government ensure completion of all project related entries in PMAY-MIS portal urgently to ensure release of funds under the scheme.

Official sources said that that of the 8,23 lakh applications received under CSC and PMAY-MIS, only 91,185 have of been validated of which only 294 have been included in projects as beneficiaries.

Sources also indicated that there is a large gap in the number of applications received through CSC and PMAY-MIS portal and validation thereof and inclusion of eligible applicants.

Official sources said that housing secretary has asked the managing director of slum clearance board to ensure completion of all project related entries under PMAY-MIS.

Tamil Nadu has carried a demand assessment of 8.30 lakh houseless households in urban areas of the state under PMAY’s four components --- insitu rehabilitation, credit inked subsidy scheme, beneficiary lead construction and affordable housing in partnership.

As on date the state has obtained sanction of 3.29 lakh houses from Centre under PMAY under the Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme (CLCC), Affordable Housing in Partnership scheme and Beneficiary Led Construction scheme.

The State Government is seeking approval for constructing 2.01 lakh houses during the year 2017-18 and the the project cost works out to Rs 7078.61 crore.

Sources indicated that the state government is looking to implement two of the components under PMAY. These include Affordable Housing in Partnership and Beneficiary led construction.

Under the Affordable Housing in Partnership scheme, the Union government will provide a grant of Rs 1.6 lakh for slum dwellers while the state will provide Rs 5 lakh. Sources said that slum clearance board is planning to attract the private developers to develop houses for slum dwellers by marketing special transferrable development rights to private builders.

Under the beneficiary led construction, those living in kutcha or semi-pucca houses in urban areas with land tenure will be provided with Rs 2.10 lakh grant (Union government Rs 1.5 lakh and state government Rs 60,000) to construct houses on their own. The balance cost is to be borne by the beneficiaries