By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, March 10: The Opposition on Monday raised concerns over the exclusion of differently-abled individuals, landless families, and others from the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G) due to bureaucratic hurdles.
Opposition TMC MLA from Dadenggre, Rupa M. Marak, questioned why persons with disabilities or PwDs are being denied housing benefits simply because they lack a job card.
Marak highlighted a troubling reality, claiming that despite being among the most vulnerable sections of society, many differently-abled individuals are excluded from the PMAY-G scheme as their applications are rejected for not having a job card. However, their disability itself often prevents them from obtaining one in the first place.
“…they are being denied a job card because of their disability,” Marak told the House, urging the government to instruct Village Employment Councils (VECs) to show greater sensitivity and awareness in such cases.
In response, Minister in-charge of Community and Rural Development (C&RD), AT Mondal, acknowledged the issue and assured that it would be addressed. “Differently-abled individuals fall under the priority category, and the VECs will be made aware of this,” he said.
Question of eligibility
The session also saw TMC MLA from Nongthymmai, Charles Pyngrope, seeking clarity on the parameters used to determine PMAY-G eligibility.
Mondal explained that selection is based on Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC) data and the Awaas Plus list of 2018, which identifies households deprived of basic housing. “The criteria include families without shelter, destitute individuals, manual scavengers, members of primitive tribal groups, and legally released bonded labourers,” he said. Prioritization within these groups is determined by socio-economic factors.
Pyngrope then asked how the government decides between two families with similar levels of deprivation.
“Both will be included, as per the scope of selection,” Mondal replied.
Despite the government’s assurances, ground realities appear more complicated. Congress MLA Ronnie V. Lyngdoh from Mylliem pointed out that landless households, despite being eligible, often face rejection because they do not own land to build a house on.
“I was told that if they don’t own land, BDOs do not approve their applications. How is that fair when the scheme is meant for houseless people?” Lyngdoh asked.
Mondal admitted the challenge. “The idea is to provide houses to houseless people, but if they don’t have land, it becomes difficult to release funds,” he said, without offering a concrete solution for landless families stuck in this bureaucratic deadlock.
Raising a supplementary question, VPP MLA Brighstarwell Marbaniang from Mawlai highlighted cases where eligible beneficiaries were denied PMAY-G benefits because they lived in rented homes instead of the locality where they owned land.
“Job cards are linked to Aadhaar, so people are being denied benefits simply because they don’t have a job card — even though they have Aadhaar,” he said.
Mondal reiterated the importance of Aadhaar seeding, stating that job cards are required because they are already linked to Aadhaar. “It should not be a problem. They should apply as permanent residents,” he added.
Addressing questions about exclusions, the C&RD minister listed the disqualifying criteria. Households that own pucca houses, motor vehicles, or more than 2.5 acres of irrigated land are automatically ineligible. Families with a Kisan Credit Card (KCC) limit above Rs 50,000 or earning over Rs 15,000 per month and paying income tax are also excluded.