Cabinet gives nod to construction of 2.95 cr rural houses

The government on Wednesday decided to construct 2.95 crore houses in rural areas under its ambitious Housing for All by 2022 scheme.

The Union Cabinet, in a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, gave its nod for the implementation of the rural component of the scheme.

The government will have to spend nearly Rs 81,975 crore over construction of one crore houses in the first three years of the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana-Gramin, under which it will provide financial assistance of Rs 1.20 lakh to those living in plain areas and Rs 1.30 lakh to those in “hilly and difficult” areas.

Terming it a “very important decision”, Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said there could be an anticipated variation of 10 per cent in total number of houses to be constructed.

The scheme would be implemented in rural areas throughout the country except Delhi and Chandigarh.