• The Union Cabinet has approved continuation of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) till December 2024.

• Launched in June 2015, the original deadline for the scheme — Housing for All Mission — aimed at providing pucca houses to all eligible urban beneficiaries was March 2022. 

• Financial assistance will be provided for the completion of already sanctioned 122.69 lakh houses till March 31, 2022. 

• Based on the request of states and Union Territories, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, decided to extend the implementation period of PMAY-Urban till December 31, 2024.

Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Urban

• Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Urban (PMAY-U), a flagship mission of the central government, was launched on June 25, 2015. 

• The ministry of housing and urban affairs (MoHUA) launched Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Urban (PMAY-U) Mission with an aim to provide a pucca house to all eligible urban households.

• Under the mission, a house is deemed completed when it has the basic amenities like electricity, water supply, kitchen and toilet. 

• A PMAY(U) house ensures dignified living along with a sense of security and pride of ownership to the beneficiaries. The mission, meanwhile, also promotes women empowerment by providing the ownership of houses in the name of female members or in joint names. Preference is also given to persons with disabilities, ST/SC/OBCs/minorities and transgenders.

• The reformatory steps taken under the mission to realise the dream of Housing for All have not only redefined the urban landscape of the country but also transformed the lives of millions of eligible urban households and the process is still ongoing.

• In 2017, the original projected demand was 100 lakh houses. Against this demand, 102 lakh houses have been grounded/under construction.

• Out of these, 62 lakh houses have been completed. Out of the total sanctioned 123 lakh houses, the proposals of 40 lakh houses were received late (during the last 2 years of scheme) from the states/UTs, which require another two years to complete them.

• Central assistance approved since 2015 is Rs 2.03 lakh crore against Rs 20,000 crore in 2004-2014. Up to March 31, 2022, central assistance/subsidy of Rs 1,18,020.46 crore has already been released and Rs 85,406 crore will be released till December 31, 2024. 

• The scheme is being implemented through four verticals: Beneficiary Led Construction/Enhancement (BLC), Affordable Housing in Partnership (AHP), In-situ Slum Redevelopment (ISSR) and Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme (CLSS). 

• The continuation of the scheme up to December 31, 2024 will help in completion of already sanctioned houses under BLC, AHP and ISSR verticals.

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