Patna: In response to the growing demand for urban housing, the Bihar Urban Development and Housing Department has requested one lakh additional houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Urban (PMAY-U) Phase 2 from the Central Government. This move could take the total number of sanctioned houses for the state to six lakh over the next five years.
A formal letter has been sent to the Centre highlighting the need for expansion of the housing scheme to accommodate the rising number of eligible applicants from various urban local bodies across the state.
Over 5 Lakh Applications Already Received
The state had originally been allotted five lakh houses under PMAY-U 2.0. A survey conducted to identify potential beneficiaries has already yielded over five lakh applications, with the application process still underway.
Considering the overwhelming response, the state government has prepared a proposal to request an additional one lakh housing units. A high-level review meeting chaired by the Chief Secretary was recently held to assess the demand and finalize the proposal.
Verification Process Underway to Prevent Irregularities
The Urban Development and Housing Department is currently verifying the applications received so far. All urban local bodies have been instructed to carry out the verification process meticulously to ensure transparency.
To curb potential corruption and ensure fair implementation, two independent teams have been constituted. These teams will visit municipal offices and directly engage with applicants to validate their claims.
Minister Jivesh Kumar Issues Strict Instructions
During a departmental review meeting, Urban Development and Housing Minister Jivesh Kumar emphasized the importance of fair and corruption-free implementation of the scheme. He directed all officials to treat this process seriously and act swiftly on any complaints or discrepancies found during verification.
Once approved by the Central Government, this revised proposal will provide much-needed housing support to thousands of urban poor families across Bihar, enhancing their living standards and fulfilling the state’s commitment to affordable urban housing.
