UP Govt aims to build over 30 lakh Houses under PM Awas Yojana-Rural

Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya announced on Tuesday that the Uttar Pradesh government has set a target of building 30 lakh more houses under the Centre’s PM Awas Yojana - Rural. The central government plans to construct an additional two crore houses in the next phase of the scheme, which will be expedited in the 2025-26 fiscal year.

Speaking to TOI, Maurya, who oversees rural development, stated that a survey of new beneficiaries is currently underway and will be completed by March 31. "Our goal is 100% coverage of the rural population under this scheme, and we are fully committed to achieving it," he said.

The beneficiary survey is being conducted online using the newly launched Awas Plus app, which is designed to ensure a fair and transparent selection process. The app features face authentication and unique login credentials for Gram Panchayat secretaries. Rural families can also self-register through the app, making the process more inclusive and accessible, an official explained.

A significant change in this phase is the expansion of eligibility criteria. Families earning up to Rs. 15,000 per month can now apply, up from the previous limit of Rs. 10,000. Additionally, previous disqualifications based on owning a mobile phone, refrigerator, or motorcycle have been removed.

To accelerate implementation, the state government is organizing Gram Chaupals in two villages of each block every Friday. Since December 30, 2022, 1.24 lakh such meetings have been held, resolving over 4.67 lakh issues.

Maurya also noted that 98% of the 36 lakh houses under the current phase of PMAY-Rural have been completed, with Uttar Pradesh leading in rural housing construction under the scheme.