IAY: Indira Awaas Yojana Scheme

IAY usually means the Indira Awaas Yojana. The Ministry of Rural Development has created this scheme in India. The government defines the scheme as a rural housing scheme for BPL (Below Poverty Line) families. It focuses on giving safe and durable homes to the underprivileged. This gives financial assistance for building safe, sustainable, and permanent houses in villages. In 2016, the government named this scheme as Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana – Gramin (PMAY-G). It uses new technology and aims for “Housing for All”. In this blog, you will get guidance on the Indira Awaas Yojana Scheme.

What is IAY (Indira Awaas Yojana)?

IAY refers to a flagship rural housing scheme started in 1985. The full name of IAY is Indira Awaas Yojana. The Ministry of Rural Development has created it. Below Poverty Line (BPL) families can get safe, durable and provides financial assistance for constructing houses. It is done by giving financial assistance to them in rural areas. The program mainly focuses on:

a) Scheduled Castes (SC)

b) Scheduled Tribes (ST)

c) Freed bonded labourers

d) Rural poor

This means they give homes to homeless people and anyone living in poor or unsafe houses. In 2016, the government changed it into Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana – Gramin (PMAY-G).

What is the New PMAY-G Scheme?

The new PMAY-G scheme continues to have a focus on giving pucca houses with basic needs to people in rural areas. The full name of this scheme is Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana–Gramin. This PMAY scheme has been changed from IAY. It is because previously some problems were found in 2014. The problem is found during evaluations. The performance audit is conducted by Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India. The problems can include:

a) Non-assessment of housing shortage

b) Low-quality houses

c) Lack of technical supervision

d) Lack of transparency

e) Weak monitoring of the scheme, and so on.

These issues have reduced the effectiveness of the scheme. In the purpose of improving it and meeting the goal of "Housing for All by 2022," the Indira Awaas Yojana was changed. It became the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Gramin (PMAY-G) in April 2016. It will use the Awaas+ 2018 list and SECC 2011 data. This focuses on building 2.95 crore houses. Each house will get between Rs. 1.2 lakh and Rs. 1.3 lakh that depends on the area.

Key Features of PMAY-G (Earlier IAY)

Listed below are the key features of the IAY (Indira Awas Yojana) Scheme:

a) Financial Assistance

Beneficiaries get a direct grant of Rs. 1.20 lakh in plain areas. They get Rs. 1.30 lakh in hilly, difficult areas, and North-Eastern states.

b) Revised Eligibility Criteria

Revised eligibility criteria can include:

• Income Limit

Eligibility is determined through SECC 2011 deprivation criteria, not monthly income limits.

• Asset Ownership

If a person has a motorized two-wheeler or a refrigerator, it is not a reason for disqualification.

• Kisan Credit Card (KCC)

Families with KCC limit is less than Rs. 50,000 are also eligible.

c) Minimum Unit Size

The houses will be a minimum floor area of 25 sq. m. It will include a separate area for hygienic cooking.

d) Convergence with Other Schemes

It generally includes the plans of:

• Toilets

An amount of Rs. 12,000 is also given for toilet construction. This is provided under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Gramin (SBM-G).

• Labour Wages

Beneficiaries are also qualifies a 90-95 days of unskilled labour wages (approx. Rs. 17,000 to Rs. 18,000) under MGNREGA for building their own home. The form of MGNREGA is Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act.

• Utilities

Facilities for piped water supply for drinking (Jal Jeevan Mission), electricity (Saubhagya Yojana), and clean cooking fuel (PM Ujjwala Yojana).

e) Ownership and Construction

It can include:

• Women's Empowerment

Houses are mainly allocated in the name of the woman or jointly with her husband.

• Self-Construction

Beneficiaries are expected to construct the houses themselves. Hiring any external contractor is strictly unacceptable.

f) Transparency and Monitoring

Progress is checked with geo-tagged photos at different steps of construction. It is monitored through the AwaasSoft real-time dashboard.

g) Funding Pattern

The cost is shared between the Centre and States in a 60:40 ratio for plain areas. The ratio is 90:10 for North-Eastern and Himalayan states.

Eligibility Criteria for IAY

Listed below are the eligibility criteria for Indira Awaas Yojana:

a) Housing Condition

Beneficiaries need to be houseless or living in 0, 1, or 2-room kutcha houses.

b) Asset and Income

Eligibility is determined through SECC 2011 deprivation criteria, not monthly income limits.

Households that have two-wheelers, refrigerators, and landline phones are eligible to apply for it.

Motorized fishing boats can usually be used under the new and more relaxed criteria. This will help the rural families.

c) Social and Economic Parameters

The Priority is given to:

• Households with no literate adult of more than 25 Years age

• Families with no adult male member of age of 16 to 59.

• Disabled Members

• Freed Bonded labourers

d) Prioritization

In each group (SC/ST/Minorities), families without homes and those in greater need get priority.

However, the scheme focuses on giving pucca houses with basic needs in rural areas. The rural areas can include toilet, electricity, water, and so on.

Documents Required for the Indira Awaas Yojana Scheme

The following key documents are:

a) Aadhaar Card

b) Consent for Aadhaar Use

A signed paper (or thumbprint for illiterate applicants). It allows the government to check your Aadhaar information.

c) Bank Account Details

d) Affidavit of No Pucca House

A self-declaration or affidavit is required. It must confirm that neither you nor your immediate family owns a permanent (pucca) house anywhere in India.

e) MNREGA Job Card

f) SBM-G Registration Number:

g) PMAY-G Application Form

h) BPL Certificate (If required)

How to Apply for the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana - Gramin (PMAY-G)?

Here are the steps:

Beneficiaries are selected by Gram Panchayats based on SECC data, individuals cannot self-register online without local authority involvement.

Step 1: Visit the Official Portal

You need to go to the official PMAY-G website.

Step 2: Login

Then, you should use the username or password given by the Gram Panchayat (Data Entry section).

Step 3: Register

This step allows you to fill out the personal, bank account, and convergence details.

Step 4: Aadhaar Consent

Then, upload the consent form which authorise the use of your Aadhaar number.

Step 5: Submit

Once submitted, you will get a unique PMAY-G ID.

Conclusion

IAY is a housing scheme for rural areas in India. IAY is known as an Indira Awaas Yojana. The scheme has replaced kutcha houses with durable, safe, and dignified shelters. This is mainly applicable to the BPL families. They get financial assistance with this scheme. This scheme has changed into the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana- Gramin (PMAY-G).

FAQ

Q1. What is the IAY Scheme?

The IAY means the Indira Awaas Yojana. This is defined as a rural housing government scheme in India. This scheme has been launched in 1985–86. It generally gives financial assistance to Below Poverty Line (BPL) families. This assistance is for constructing, upgrading, or repairing their own "pucca" houses. Since April 1, 2016, it has changed to the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana - Gramin (PMAY-G) to aim for "Housing for All." 

Q2. Who is eligible for the IAY (PMAY-G) scheme?

The BPL families are eligible for the IAY scheme. This is because it helps BPL families in rural areas. It is specifically for:

1. Scheduled Castes (SC)
2. Scheduled Tribes (ST)
3. Freed bonded laborers
4. Widows
5. Dependents of defense personnel killed in action, etc.

So, it is vital to use information from the Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC) 2011 to find eligible households.

Q3. Can I apply for IAY if I already have a house?

No, you cannot apply for it if you already have a house. Indira Awaas Yojana or PMAY-G is only for houseless households. This is also applicable to people living in 'kutcha' or dilapidated houses.

Q4. Can I get a loan for constructing an Indira Awaas Yojana house?

PMAY-G does not provide housing loans. Some banks may extend loans separately, but it is not a scheme feature.

Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Online Legal India is a digital platform. If you require legal assistance, we strongly recommend consulting a qualified lawyer or law firm.