Bhupesh Baghel questions implementation of PMAY in Assembly, highlights lack of Urban Housing approvals

Raipur

Former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel raised the issue of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana in the Assembly on Tuesday. He questioned whether urban housing is included in the advertisement for the plan to build 1.8 million houses. PWD Minister Arun Sao responded that urban housing is indeed included in the 1.8 million houses.

Baghel further inquired about the number of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for urban housing sent to the central government. Sao replied that the previous government had sent a DPR to the Centre for the construction of 19,906 houses. Baghel then asked how many of these houses had received approval from the Centre. Sao stated that no new housing approvals have been received from the Centre so far.
Baghel pointed out that no housing proposals have been sent in the past eight months. The minister explained that the criterion for housing construction is based on the number of approved houses. New proposals will be sent after the approval of the submitted proposals.

Baghel emphasized that the state government has the authority to grant leases for temporary houses, and the DPR to convert these into permanent structures is sent to the center for approval. Saw mentioned that the government is considering the issue of leased houses.

The former Chief Minister noted that it has been nine years since the housing scheme was launched, and building houses has become more expensive. He asked whether the government would take steps to increase the approved amount from 2015. Minister Arun Saw replied that the government will consider and decide on this matter.