Mumbai: The Government of India has made a major change regarding the eligibility of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U) in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). The government has announced to increase the income slab of the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) category to Rs 6 lakh for eligibility under PMAY-U. This announcement of the government is considered important for the upliftment of lakhs of urban poor living in Mumbai and its surrounding areas. Till now the benefit of this scheme was available only to a person with an annual income of Rs 3 lakh.
The Central government has taken this decision in response to the Maharashtra government’s letter, In which the Center was requested to increase the income criteria of EWS category from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 6 lakh for affordable housing in partnership with PMAY-U projects. This decision will facilitate the homeless needy in urban areas. The increase in income slab is aimed at expanding the eligibility and access of affordable housing for persons belonging to EWS category. Also maximum people from EWS category can take advantage of MHADA Housing Lottery in MMR.
PMAY-U was launched by the Union Ministry of Housing and Poverty Alleviation. Under Affordable Housing in Partnership (AHP), the central government provides a subsidy of Rs 1.5 lakh. Under this scheme, the Central Government provides financial assistance to EWS houses being built in various partnership models by the States/UTs/Cities along with the private sector and industry. Also, it must have a minimum of 250 houses with at least 35% of the houses belonging to the EWS category. Preference is given to physically challenged persons, senior citizens, SC/ST/OBC, minorities, single women, transgender and other weak and vulnerable sections of the society.
