PMAY scheme: Beneficiaries in Kerala await funds from union govt

Idukki: The beneficiaries listed under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) scheme in the state are in a challenging situation due to the non-release of the union government's allocated funds. A total of 1,02,744 families have been awaiting assistance for two years. They are not eligible for consideration under alternative government housing schemes, as they are in the PMAY beneficiary list.

As per the scheme, the union government provides Rs 2.1 lakh, gram panchayat Rs 70,000, and district panchayat Rs 1.2 lakh. The fund is released in four tranches as per the progress of construction. The district and gram panchayats have already allocated funds but it remain unutilised as the union government has not released the share.  

The beneficiary list was readied way back in the 2018-19 period. 1,37,913 families were found eligible. 

In 2021, the fund for 35,169 families which have to complete the first phase of the construction was approved. The union government maintained that it would release funds for the next phase of construction if 80 percent of the works were completed. The construction of 32,337 house were completed in 2022. The construction of 2,832 houses is progressing and is in the final stages. Even, they have not received the funds.