Port Blair, Mar 16: The implementation of Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana (Gramin) takes a momentous pace towards realising the Prime Minister’s dream of ‘Housing for All by 2022’ as it reaches the mark of construction of its 600th house in these Islands.

The Department of Rural Development, A&N Administration has been implementing the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana – Gramin, the flagship scheme of the Government of India across the Islands since the inception of the scheme from 1st April 2016. By providing a pucca house with basic amenities inclusive of a hygienic cooking space to the houseless with financial assistance of Rs.1.2 lakh along with 90 person days of unskilled labour wage amounting to Rs.24,030/- through convergence with Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS). Additionally, an incentive of Rs.12,000 for construction of toilets through convergence with Swachh Bharat Mission – Gramin (SBM-G) is also provided to the beneficiaries.
Of the target of 1337 beneficiaries, the Department has constructed 600 houses. 739 beneficiaries who have been provided installments are in various stages of construction of their houses. A large number of them are expected to complete the house by 31st March 2021. At present, the UT has released installments to approximately 86% of its targets.
The beneficiaries have expressed their gratitude towards the Department for converting them from tenants/ homeless to home owners. Shri S. Sarsu, Shri Andasamy and Shri Raman of Wandoor GPs said that PMAY-G has provided cooking space inside the house. This has changed the practice of cooking outside. Now our houses have ‘zero maintenance’ too which was not in case of mud/dilapidated house as maintenance expenditure used to be too big almost every year. Shri Sunderam Tirkey and Shri Dinabandhu Das of Guptapara Gram Panchayats conclude that PMAY-G scheme has made significant impact on their lives– both in terms of physical facilities provided and subject well-being.
It has been noticed that there has been a huge boost in the feeling of Social Status, Self-worth, Confidence Level, Feeling of Ownership, Feeling of Safety & Security, Self-perceived Improvement in Health, Overall Quality of Life, and Satisfaction after construction of New Houses of the beneficiaries.
At this stage of implementation, it is worthy to note that the scheme is now playing a vital role in fostering security, welfare and social well-being of the rural populace by providing safe, stable and secure atmospheres for them and especially women, children and other vulnerable groups too. The Department sets target to complete at least 400 houses more by the end of this Financial Year.