During her presentation of the Union Budget 2024-25, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the launch of PM Awaas Yojana-Urban 2.0 with an allocation of Rs 10 trillion. The initiative aims to enhance affordable housing options and improve living conditions for the urban poor, as emphasized by the finance minister. Sitharaman stated, "We will encourage states with high stamp duty rates to moderate them universally. Additionally, we are considering further reductions for properties purchased by women." She underscored that these measures would play a crucial role in urban development schemes.
The finance minister highlighted that this funding would be directed towards addressing the housing needs of both urban poor and middle-class families, ensuring affordable housing becomes accessible to many. Sitharaman reiterated the government's commitment to transforming cities into growth hubs through coordinated economic and transit planning.
She also outlined plans to facilitate loans at affordable rates through inter-subsidy provisions. In addition to home ownership, the government aims to enhance the rental housing market, establishing transparent markets to improve availability.
Regarding housing for industrial workers, Sitharaman mentioned plans to facilitate resident housing with dormitory-style accommodations in Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode, supported by the VJF and commitments from Anker Industries. Reforms in ownership, leasing, and flagging within the shipping industry are also planned to boost the Indian shipping sector's share and generate employment.
Highlighting the PM Swanidhi scheme's success in transforming the lives of street vendors, Sitharaman expressed the government's intention to support the development of 100 weekly haats or street food hubs annually in select cities over the next five years.
The Interim Budget 2024, presented in February, significantly boosted housing for the middle-income group by proposing a new scheme to assist deserving individuals in rented houses, chawls, slums, and unauthorized colonies to purchase or construct their own homes. The budgetary allocation for PMAY (Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana) was increased to Rs 806.71 billion for 2024-25, up from Rs 795.90 billion in 2023-24. Launched in June 2015, PMAY aims to provide housing for all, with central assistance provided to implementing agencies through states, union territories, and Central Nodal Agencies to ensure all eligible families and beneficiaries receive homes by December 2024.
