SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir has emerged as a significant focus area in the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G), a flagship rural development scheme aimed at achieving “Housing for All.” With over 2.67 crore houses completed nationwide under the programme as of December 2, 2024, Jammu and Kashmir reported utilisation of Rs 2,933.95 crore against the central allocation of Rs 2,389.70 crore over the past three years.
The scheme, launched in April 2016, seeks to provide pucca houses with basic amenities to eligible rural households. By March 2024, the government set an ambitious cumulative target of constructing 2.95 crore houses across India. Recognising the ongoing demand, the Cabinet approved an additional two crore houses to be built from 2024 to 2029, raising the overall target to 3.35 crore homes, according to the information that the government revealed in the Parliament on Friday.
Jammu and Kashmir’s significant allocation under PMAY-G reflects the region’s priority in rural housing development. However, questions remain about the effective use of these funds. Implementation is closely monitored through a robust system that includes real-time data collection on the AwaasSoft platform, regular performance reviews by the Empowered Committee of the Rural Development Ministry, and field-level inspections by national monitors and district committees.
A depth of scrutiny is maintained through mechanisms such as Social Audits and DISHA Committees chaired by Members of Parliament. Despite these efforts, ground realities often challenge timely delivery, such as the region’s unique geographic and administrative hurdles.
To ensure timely completion of houses and motivate states and union territories, the Ministry of Rural Development has introduced awards recognising best-performing regions. These accolades, based on performance metrics available through a dedicated dashboard, have spurred competition and encouraged efficiency among implementing states.
