Yogi Adityanath Initiates Major Housing Scheme Disbursement in Uttar Pradesh
In a significant move to boost urban housing, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday transferred a substantial sum of Rs 900 crore as the first instalment to 90,000 beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana–Urban 2.0 (PMAY-U second phase). The funds were distributed through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system, ensuring transparency and efficiency in the process.
Direct Financial Support for House Construction
The disbursement involved crediting Rs 1 lakh directly into the bank account of each beneficiary family, aimed at kickstarting the construction of their houses. Adityanath emphasized that this initiative is not merely about providing shelter but about ensuring a dignified life for the underprivileged, complete with essential amenities such as toilets, electricity, and drinking water.
Addressing the launch event, the Chief Minister highlighted a shift in land use, stating that lands previously encroached upon by mafias are now being utilized to build houses for the poor. He directed officials to leverage land freed from illegal occupation to develop high-rise housing projects for families without land ownership.
Crediting Leadership and State Transformation
Adityanath credited the progress to the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the double-engine government model, which operates with the ethos of treating Uttar Pradesh's 25 crore citizens as one family. He noted that this approach has helped the state shed its former 'BIMARU' state image and emerge as a growth engine for the country.
According to official data, approximately 62 lakh families in Uttar Pradesh have already received houses under the housing scheme to date, underscoring the scale of the initiative.
Geographical Reach and Future Steps
Beneficiaries receiving the first instalment hail from multiple districts, including Saharanpur, Pratapgarh, Shahjahanpur, Firozabad, Prayagraj, Jalaun, Sitapur, Gorakhpur, Bareilly, and Aligarh. Adityanath instructed officials that once 75% of construction is completed, beneficiaries should promptly apply for the next instalment of Rs 1 lakh, which must be released without delay to accelerate building progress.
Ensuring Quality and Expanding Housing Schemes
Further directives included the appointment of district nodal officers to ensure the availability of affordable and quality construction materials. The Chief Minister also mandated that each house display the name of the beneficiary and the PM Awas Yojana, serving as an inspiration for others in the community.
In a forward-looking suggestion, Adityanath proposed developing specialized housing schemes for professionals such as teachers, lawyers, doctors, and journalists. He added that if necessary, properties seized from mafias could be repurposed for housing projects, reinforcing the commitment to utilizing resources for public welfare.
This comprehensive effort underscores the state government's dedication to enhancing urban infrastructure and improving living standards for its residents through strategic financial support and robust policy implementation.
