Indira Awaas Yojana to Expire in 2017

Indira Awaas Yojana (IAY) is set for a final burial in March 2017.

The Union rural development ministry has told states that under-construction houses under IAY should be completed in the current financial year.

Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana (PMAY) will subsume IAY.

PMAY aims to build one crore houses by 2019, will be a targeted subsidy programme.The rural development ministry has identified beneficiary households through the “socio-economic caste census” -picking those who live in houses described as “single kutcha room, kutcha roof ” and “double kutcha room, kutcha roof “.

Opposition alleges that the Modi government is renaming this welfare programme to remove its association with the Gandhi family. It’s the Indira Awaas Yojana, which aims to build homes for the rural poor. It’s to be renamed the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana.

Indira Awaas Yojana was launched by Rajiv Gandhi, the then Prime Minister of India, as one of the major flagship programs of the Ministry of Rural Development to construct houses for BPL population in the villages. Under the scheme, financial assistance worth ₹70,000 (US$1,000) in plain areas and ₹75,000 (US$1,100) in difficult areas (high land area) is provided for construction of houses.