PMAY-G survey identifies over 3.34 lakh houseless families in J&K

Srinagar, Apr 3: A fresh government survey has identified 3,34,639 houseless families in Jammu and Kashmir under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana Gramin (PMAY-G), highlighting significant gaps in housing coverage across the Union Territory.

The information was shared in the Legislative Assembly in response to a question raised by PDP legislator Waheed Ur Rehman Para.

The government said a fresh exercise was conducted to identify eligible houseless and landless families left out in earlier surveys under PMAY-G Phase I. The survey, conducted using the Awaas+ 2024 application, identified 5,02,930 potential beneficiaries for PMAY-G 2.0.

District-wise data reflects a wide variation across the Union Territory. Rajouri reported the highest number of identified beneficiaries at 62,181, followed by Poonch (49,260) and Ramban (35,479). Doda recorded 30,412 beneficiaries, while Reasi and Kathua reported 29,646 and 23,337 cases, respectively.

In the Kashmir division, Anantnag reported 11,035 beneficiaries, Kupwara 10,896, Baramulla 5,985, Kulgam 5,867, and Bandipora 4,474. Budgam and Shopian recorded relatively lower numbers at 2,217 and 2,472 respectively, while Srinagar reported just 69 identified beneficiaries.

Despite the large number of houseless families, only 507 land allotments have been made so far by the Revenue authorities, raising concerns over the pace of implementation.

The government said verification of surveyed households is currently underway at district and block levels to ensure that all eligible beneficiaries are included. It added that land is being provided to landless families through coordination with the Revenue Department, following due verification.

Officials further stated that regular monitoring and review meetings are being conducted at the Union Territory, district, and block levels to expedite the process. Implementation timelines, the government said, are being followed in accordance with guidelines issued by the Ministry of Rural Development.

The findings underline the scale of housing need in Jammu and Kashmir and the challenges that remain in translating identification into timely allotment and construction support.