In what could be termed as sensational development, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, while presenting her Budget speech on July 5 said that 1.95 crore houses will be provided under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Urban (PMAY – U) scheme from FY 2022.
“Rapid urbanisation is an opportunity rather than a challenge,” the finance minister added in a statement.
She then added that the government-sanctioned 81 lakh homes which are to be constructed in urban areas under the scheme, known as the Housing for All scheme.
This move will help citizens. “This will facilitate people living close to their workplace and manage migration,” she added in a statement.
Presenting the achievements, Sitharaman said: “As of now 4.82 lakh crore houses have been sanctioned. Of these, 47 lakh houses have been constructed; from these 26 lakh houses have been completed, and 24 lakh houses have already been delivered to the beneficiaries.”
She also added that the scheme would build houses by following new technologies and added that, “13 lakh houses that were constructed have already employed new technology”.
She also promised electricity and clean cooking gas to rural homes by 2022, and water facilities by 2024. She then announced the development of rural transport and housing infrastructure.
“The government is also working towards ‘Har Ghar Jal’ (Water for Every House) by 2024. Provision of safe drinking water for every citizen is priority of the government,” she added.