Nilanjan
The West Bengal government, led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, has announced its intention to build 11.36 lakh rural houses in the state, in case the Centre does not release funds under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
The state government has taken this decision after facing a delay and uncertainty in receiving funds from the central government for the PMAY scheme, which aims to provide affordable housing to the rural poor.
What is Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana?
Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) is a flagship scheme of the central government that was launched in 2015 with the vision of “Housing for All by 2022”. The scheme has two components: PMAY-Urban and PMAY-Rural.
PMAY-Rural, also known as Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G), targets to provide pucca houses with basic amenities to all eligible rural households who are homeless or living in kutcha or dilapidated houses.
The scheme provides a financial assistance of Rs 1.20 lakh per unit to the beneficiaries, which is shared between the Centre and the state in the ratio of 60:40 in plain areas and 90:10 in hilly and northeastern states. The beneficiaries are also entitled to get an additional assistance of Rs 12,000 for constructing toilets under the Swachh Bharat Mission and Rs 18,000 for installing solar panels under the Saubhagya scheme.
The scheme also encourages the use of local materials, technology, and designs to promote eco-friendly and cost-effective construction. The scheme also involves community participation and social audit to ensure transparency and accountability.
What is the status of PMAY-Rural in West Bengal?
West Bengal is one of the states that has performed well in implementing PMAY-Rural. According to the official website of PMAY-G, as of July 23, 2021, the state has completed 28.77 lakh houses out of the total target of 33.93 lakh houses under the scheme.
However, the state government has alleged that the Centre has not released adequate funds for the scheme, resulting in a backlog of pending payments to the beneficiaries. The state government has claimed that it has not received any funds from the Centre since March 2020, and that it has a pending demand of Rs 3,500 crore for PMAY-Rural.
The state government has also accused the Centre of delaying the approval of 11.36 lakh dwelling units for the financial year 2022-23, which were submitted by the state after a rigorous verification process. The state government has alleged that the Centre has sent some teams to inquire about the list of beneficiaries, but has not communicated any feedback or rectification to the state. The state government has expressed its doubt that the Centre may not release any funds for PMAY-Rural before the next Lok Sabha elections due to political reasons.
What is the plan of West Bengal government to build rural houses?
In view of the uncertainty and delay in receiving funds from the Centre for PMAY-Rural, the West Bengal government has decided to take matters into its own hands and fund the construction of 11.36 lakh rural houses from its own resources.
The state government has allocated a budgetary provision of Rs 10,000 crore for this purpose, which is a huge amount for the cash-strapped state. The state government has also decided to provide a grant of 60% subsidy on the total cost i.e. Rs 1.43 lakh per hectare to small and marginal farmers for installing solar fencing around their fields to protect their crops from stray animals.
The state government has said that it will leave no stone unturned to provide dwelling units to the beneficiaries ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, as it considers housing as a basic right and a key factor for rural development.
The state government has also said that it will launch a dedicated helpline number and a mobile app for farmers to register their complaints and grievances regarding PMAY-Rural. The state government will also monitor and evaluate the progress and impact of PMAY-Rural using GPS mapping, geo-tagging, drone surveillance, etc.
What is the significance and impact of West Bengal government’s plan?
The West Bengal government’s plan to build 11.36 lakh rural houses is a significant step towards fulfilling its promise of providing housing for all in the state. The plan reflects the vision and commitment of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to uplift the welfare and dignity of rural poor.
The plan will have multiple benefits for rural households in West Bengal. Some of them are:
- It will provide them with a pucca house with basic amenities, which will improve their living conditions and health outcomes.
- It will enhance their security and safety, especially for women and children, who are vulnerable to violence and exploitation in kutcha or dilapidated houses.
- It will increase their income and livelihood opportunities, as they will be able to use their houses for productive purposes such as storage, processing, marketing, etc.
- It will boost their confidence and self-esteem, as they will feel a sense of ownership and pride in their houses.
- It will also create a positive impact on the environment and climate, as the houses will be built using eco-friendly and energy-efficient materials and technologies.
The West Bengal government’s plan to build 11.36 lakh rural houses is a bold and ambitious initiative that will not only benefit the rural poor but also strengthen the state’s economy and polity. It will also set an example for other states to follow in providing housing for all.
