PUNE, – Maharashtra is set to achieve a remarkable milestone in India’s ambitious Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), aiming for 100% completion of its housing targets. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced that the state is on track to provide 30 lakh homes to its homeless population, a significant endeavor under the nationwide “Housing for All” initiative. This update came during the “Amrut MahaAwas Abhiyan Award Ceremony” held in Pune on Tuesday, an event attended by Union Minister for Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, as the chief guest, alongside Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.
Addressing the assembled dignitaries and beneficiaries, Chief Minister Fadnavis underscored Maharashtra’s proactive approach in streamlining the approval process for the centrally sanctioned houses. “Maharashtra is poised to become the first state in the country to achieve its complete target under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana,” Fadnavis declared, emphasizing the state’s commitment to large-scale housing provisions.
The Chief Minister also acknowledged past challenges in accurately identifying beneficiaries for the scheme. He pointed out that the initial reliance on the 2011 Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) for identifying homeless individuals was “flawed,” as it only accounted for approximately 10 lakh eligible persons in Maharashtra. Recognizing this gap, the state undertook its own comprehensive survey in 2018, which dramatically expanded the count of homeless individuals requiring housing to 30 lakh. This state-led initiative highlights the complexities of data accuracy in large-scale welfare programs.
In a pivotal moment, Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan lauded Maharashtra’s progress but also urged the state government to conduct an additional survey. This new assessment, Chouhan suggested, would serve to identify any remaining homeless individuals who might have been inadvertently missed in previous counts. “The Centre has sanctioned homes for all homeless citizens in Maharashtra as per the 2018 survey data. However, I strongly encourage the state to undertake a fresh survey to ensure no eligible person is left out. Should a revised list emerge, the Union government is committed to sanctioning those too,” Chouhan affirmed, reiterating the Centre’s dedication to inclusive housing.
Union Minister Chouhan further elaborated on the broader impact of PMAY, noting its role as a “powerful catalyst for boosting India’s economy” by generating employment across various sectors, from construction to allied industries. He also highlighted recent updates to the PMAY (Rural) eligibility criteria, including the removal of the two-wheeler ownership restriction and the inclusion of individuals with a monthly income of up to ₹15,000, broadening the scheme’s reach.
Maharashtra’s accelerated efforts to secure necessary permissions for the 30 lakh sanctioned homes, coupled with its ambitious ₹70,000 crore vision for comprehensive housing development, underscore its leadership in tackling housing deprivation. The state’s ongoing commitment to ensuring “Housing for All” through robust implementation and continuous beneficiary identification surveys sets a precedent for other regions across the nation.
