SHILLONG, July 23: Around 2.84 lakh houses have been registered on the waitlist for future implementation under the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana–Gramin (PMAY-G) scheme in Meghalaya.
Over the past two years, PMAY-G has brought significant relief to thousands of Below Poverty Line (BPL) families in rural Meghalaya, with more than one lakh houses constructed under the scheme—a major leap in rural housing delivery.
This was revealed by C&RD Minister Abu Taher Mondal on Wednesday. He said the department has been working diligently to implement the scheme, ensuring the completion of houses listed in earlier surveys and waitlists.
“From 2023 to 2024, we completed around 66,000 houses. In 2024-25, we aim to complete another 46,000. Earlier, these numbers would have taken many years to achieve, but in just the last two years, we’ve crossed one lakh,” the minister stated.
For the current financial year, the department has set a target of constructing approximately 50,000 houses.
Mondal said that a fresh survey has been conducted, and 2.84 lakh new households have been added to the waitlist for future inclusion under the scheme.
“If this waitlist is approved, it will help ensure that the maximum number of eligible families is covered under PMAY-G in the coming years. We’re optimistic and have directed all Block Development Officers (BDOs) to spread awareness through village secretaries and local leaders so more people can register,” he said.
When asked about potential misuse of the scheme, where ineligible families might be availing of the benefits, Mondal clarified that the selection process follows strict guidelines.
“There are clear criteria to identify beneficiaries. For instance, families that own four-wheelers, smartphones, or pucca houses are not eligible. While self-identification is allowed, every application is thoroughly verified before approval,” he explained.
He acknowledged that in some cases, government employees or ineligible families may have managed to benefit from the scheme, but attributed such incidents to lapses, adding that the department is working to ensure only genuine BPL families are covered.
Addressing concerns about land availability in Meghalaya, Mondal reiterated that PMAY-G is strictly a rural housing scheme, and one of the key eligibility requirements is land ownership.
“This scheme is designed for rural areas only, and land ownership is a must. There is no provision for building housing complexes or society-type units, as those involve land disputes and higher costs,” he said.
Mondal further added that beneficiaries also receive support from other government programmes. These include 95 person-days of wage support under MGNREGA for house construction, access to loans through banks or self-help groups, toilet construction under the Swachh Bharat Mission, and basic utilities such as LPG connections.
“We are working to make this scheme truly effective by converging it with other government programmes,” he said.
