To check what can go wrong while implementing the PMAY scheme, we will review a specific example from Meghalaya. A part of the Garo-Khasi range in Meghalaya, Garo Hills is situated in the North-Eastern parts of India. Known as one of the wettest parts of the world, the region is no stranger to the wrath of periodic cyclonic storms. The tribal inhabitants are known as Garos, and they suffer from the effects of the storms each season. With disrupted homes and livelihoods destroyed, the Garos find themselves rebuilding their lives all over every time a storm hits.
As per recent news, the non-implementation of the PMAY is the reason for the constant suffering of the region’s people during floods. The PMAY or the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana is a scheme driven by the Central government of India. The initiative is curated to ensure that every citizen of the country can afford a house. As per the target laid out by the Central government, the PMAY must especially provide for the urban poor of the country to build 20 crore affordable homes by the 31st of March 2022.
This news also highlights that the Garos have been tormented by the effects of the natural calamity for years. This is major because the tribes continue to occupy ‘kutcha houses’ to date. A kutcha house is usually made from materials such as bamboo, mud, straw, or unburned bricks for the uninitiated. The homes are weak and cannot stand the immense force of storms. This continued use of kutcha homes resulted from the PMAY scheme failing to reach this poor population.
The funds for the scheme are sanctioned through PMAY. There might be a case where funds sanctioned for the purpose were higher than the actual amount. As per local authorities, the victims receive a meager sum of INR 3,000 to INR 5,000 as compensation after the storms create the damage. Small compensations are used in place of the PMAY funds of INR 1.3 lakh that must otherwise be offered to these citizens.
It was also observed that a woman of the region had applied for low-cost housing through the local municipal board a few years ago. However, there is still no sign of houses built using the PMAY scheme in the region. This indicates that the funds do not reach the beneficiaries despite the scheme being put in place.
The public was encouraged to make payments on their tax holdings and clear any pending dues as a way to reap the benefits of the PMAY scheme. They were given assurance of receiving perks of the value-added scheme, but the local municipal board then went on to reply in RTI that they were not dealing with the scheme anymore.
Everyone should be aware of the details and monitor the sanctioned schemes closely. Also, make sure that the rightful beneficiaries reap PMAY benefits. PMAY is a noble scheme that aids in bringing down the total cost of acquiring your home. The interest subsidy makes housing more affordable, especially for first-time homebuyers of the beneficiary group. To understand more about the PMAY list and ways to get the best of this scheme.
