The Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G), a flagship program of the Indian government aimed at providing pucca houses to eligible rural beneficiaries, has encountered several challenges, including instances of corruption and extortion. A recent report compiled by the Delhi-based CMI Social Research Centre and submitted to the Union Ministry for Rural Development has highlighted these issues.
Corruption and Extortion
The report, which is based on a special monitoring exercise conducted in three phases across various states, reveals cases of rent-seeking or corruption. In Bihar, panchayat officials were found collecting bribes from beneficiaries. For instance, in Muzaffarnagar and Katihar districts, beneficiaries were pressured to pay money to panchayat officials, with one case involving a ward member continuously pressuring a beneficiary to pay.
In West Bengal, the report noted cases where a political party was taking 'cut money' from beneficiaries. In the Sankrial block, beneficiaries were allegedly required to pay Rs 10,000 and Rs 2,000 each to the panchayat member. Similar issues were reported in Madhya Pradesh, where the sarpanch of the Inderghadh gram panchayat in Shivpuri district was accused of forcibly withdrawing PMAY-G funds.
Implementation Issues
Besides corruption, the report also highlighted several implementation issues. In Rajasthan, there were cases where funds were stopped by village secretaries, and beneficiaries were forced to pay additional money for the release of further installments. For example, in Bharatpur district, a beneficiary complained that he was forced to give Rs 5,000 to the village secretary after the first installment was credited into his account. The village secretary demanded another Rs 10,000 for filing the due report.
The report also mentioned instances where houses were sanctioned to financially well-to-do households, contrary to the scheme's objectives. In Jaipur, a financially well-to-do household was assisted under PMAY-G, which raises questions about the efficacy of the beneficiary selection process.
Expansion and Eligibility Criteria
Despite these challenges, the PMAY-G continues to expand its reach. The scheme has been extended to include a broader range of beneficiaries. For instance, individuals who own bikes or fridges are now eligible for the scheme, reflecting a more inclusive approach to housing assistance. This expansion aims to cover more families in need of affordable housing.
The government has also made efforts to streamline the process of checking beneficiary lists and monitoring the progress of the scheme. Beneficiaries can now check their names on the official PMAY website, and detailed progress reports are available for public scrutiny.
