Govt ‘sets record straight’ on PMAY house land allotment scheme

Srinagar, July 5: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Wednesday clarified the ‘confusion’ over land allotment scheme and stated that neither any change in the law has been made nor any outsider is being allotted land in the UT.

          The government issued a comprehensive rebuttal to clarify misconceptions surrounding the land allotment process for Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) houses.

          Spokesperson stated that the Jammu and Kashmir government remains committed to serving the poor and landless individuals who have been deprived of basic amenities such as a roof over their heads. The government's reform measures aim to address these issues and provide housing for all.

          “The clarification from the government aims to set the record straight regarding the PMAY house land allotment scheme, emphasizing that no changes in the law have been made and no outsiders are being allotted land,”.

He said the government's decision to allocate 5 marlas of land to individuals without clear land titles demonstrates its commitment to ensuring housing for all.

          An official spokesperson while quoting the Department of Rural Development said as a result of J&K's commendable performance in house sanction and completion of earlier phases of PMAY, on May 30, 2023, an additional sanction of 1,99,550 PMAY Awas Plus houses was announced as a special dispensation.

“This measure aims to ensure housing for all 2.65 lakh houseless individuals on the Permanent Waiting List (PWL) of 2019”.

Addressing the misconceptions, the government reiterated that landless individuals or those with land where construction is not permitted cannot be sanctioned a house under the PMAY scheme. The government provided a district-wise list of such cases, demonstrating transparency and accountability.

          "To ensure housing for all, the government made a policy decision to allot 5 marlas of land to 2,711 cases that were identified as not having clear title of land," the spokesperson said. "These cases involved individuals residing on state land, forest land, agricultural land where construction is prohibited, custodian land, and land allotted to displaced people near Dachigam Park for agriculture purposes."

          The government emphasized that Mehbooba Mufti's statement regarding the allotment of land to 2 lakh individuals is factually incorrect. "The data quoted by her belongs to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, while the PMAYG scheme is under the Ministry of Rural Development, catering specifically to rural areas of J&K."

          The government's clarification aims to dispel misunderstandings and provide a comprehensive understanding of the PMAY scheme and the land allotment process in Jammu and Kashmir.

          The official spokesperson said the commitment to ensuring housing for all remains steadfast, with due consideration for land ownership and adherence to the law.

Earlier, the government provided detailed insights into the PMAY scheme, emphasizing the importance of land ownership for house allocation.

          Under the PMAY (Grameen) Phase-1, which commenced on April 1, 2016, a total of 2,57,349 houseless cases were identified in J&K based on the SECC data of 2011. After rigorous verification by Gram Sabhas, 1,36,152 cases were sanctioned, aligning with the government's commitment to provide "Housing for all by 2022."

          The government spokesperson further stated that under the PMAY scheme, the Government of India offers per-house assistance of 1.30 lakhs, with a minimum prescribed size of 1 marla. The scheme aims to uplift those living in inadequate housing conditions, promoting sustainable and affordable housing.

          To address any gaps between the overall target and eligible beneficiaries from the 2011 SECC, the government conducted the Awaas+ survey from January 2018 to March 2019, as stated in the statement.

          "This survey aimed to identify those beneficiaries who claimed to have been left out. The data captured during this period was utilized to bridge the gap, ensuring that deserving individuals were not excluded from the scheme," the government clarified.

          Furthermore, in 2019, PMAY Phase-II (Awas Plus) Grameen was launched based on the 2018-19 survey conducted nationwide. In J&K, the survey recorded 2.65 lakh houseless cases, and a target of 63,426 houses was assigned. “These houses were sanctioned in 2022, and the scheme is set to conclude on March 31, 2024,” the spokesperson added.