In a path breaking initiative, the ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs approved construction of 30,000 affordable houses for urban poor on private land in Maharashtra, under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban). Central assistance of Rs 450 crore has also been approved for this project.
An Inter-ministerial Central Sanctioning and Monitoring Committee (CSMC), Chaired by Durga Shanker Mishra, Secretary (Housing & Urban Affairs) approved this first of its kind affordable housing project on private land under PMAY(Urban) after detailed discussions with the officials of the Maharashtra Government.
A senior official of the ministry said that this approval for an affordable housing project on private land under PMAY (Urban) is expected to trigger more such projects on private lands under the Affordable Housing in Partnership (AHP) component of PMAY (Urban). Central assistance of Rs 1.50 lakh for each beneficiary is provided under this component.
Officials said that Raynagar Cooperative Housing Federation, Sholapur submitted a proposal to build 30,000 affordable houses for its members comprising of beedi and textile workers and other urban poor belonging to Economically Weaker Sections (EWS).
Being the first of its kind, the secretary ascertained for Maharashtra officials about the ownership of land, compliance with the Mission Guidelines including the eligibility of beneficiaries, AADHAR linking, role of State Government and implementation oversight to ensure the proposed project is completed in time since funding by both the central and state governments is involved.
In the meeting, Maharashtra officials explained that the State Level Technical Committee (SLTC) set up under PMAY (Urban) has appraised the project and recommended for central funding.
The State officials also informed CSMC that the cost of each dwelling unit of Rs.6,03,777 has been determined in a transparent manner and with central and state assistance, the delivery price would be Rs.3,53,777 per house.
On the assurance that the State Level Sanctioning and Monitoring Committee (SLSMC), set up under PMAY(Urban) will oversee the implementation of the project, the CSMC approved the project.