Housing Department seeks ₹2,000 crore from Andhra Pradesh CM for Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana

According to a senior official, the central government has issued 4,032 crore under PMAY-U so far in the 2022-23 financial year, but Andhra Pradesh government only released 2,556 crores of grant to the housing department, divert of others 1,476 crore, the official told PTI news agency.

in the proportionate part of 1,389 crore, AP government released only 504 crore so far but withheld the balance amount citing “lack of resource”, the official said. Pay 755 crores, including 324 crore to the beneficiaries, are pending, seriously hindering the progress of the scheme.

The official said that in the last few years, the Center has sanctioned 16,84,502 houses to Andhra Pradesh under PMAY-U, but so far only 13,92,855 houses have been taken up for construction.

AP, which is receiving over 57 per cent of the total PMAY-U grants this year, is expected to receive total 5,000 crores. “The rest of the central part 1,476 crore and state’s share 885 crore to be released immediately to receive the next installment from the Center in December.”

Housing department officials said 324 crore to be paid to PMAY-U beneficiaries and others 311 crore for land acquisition and land leveling work. Too, 120 crore is to be paid for the drinking water supply works done under Jal Jeevan Mission.

Apart from this, the officials of the Housing Department also informed the Chief Minister that due to non-availability of funds and incessant rains (20 per cent more) in the last few months, the progress of the housing program has been significantly affected. Bad roads across the state have affected the movement of vehicles carrying construction material at various places.

Sand, an important input, is in short supply. The stock available at various depots has “exhausted” and refilling is not possible as sand access remains non-operational due to floods.

The state government had planned to hold a huge function on December 21 to commemorate the completion of around five lakh houses, but now it can be held only after January next year, PTI news agency said.