New Delhi, Dec 9 (NationPress) The Central Government has successfully distributed 95.54 lakh residences to designated beneficiaries under two initiatives of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, as reported by the Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal, in Parliament.

During a question hour session in the Rajya Sabha, the minister disclosed that a slum survey conducted in 2020 revealed that approximately 6.5 crore individuals, translating to 1.39 crore households, were residing in slum conditions nationwide.

He clarified that land management and colonization fall under State jurisdiction, meaning that policies and programs concerning slum rehabilitation are managed by respective states and Union Territories. Consequently, the ministry does not maintain data related to slum rehabilitation or relocation.

In the National Capital Territory of Delhi (NCTD), slum rehabilitation and demolitions are executed by various land-owning bodies such as the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB), complying with several relevant Acts.

"As part of the Slum Rehabilitation initiative, the DDA has proceeded with demolitions following the proper rehabilitation of qualified slum inhabitants. This operation encompasses a total of 5,158 households, out of which 3,414 were deemed eligible for alternative rehabilitation in accordance with DUSIB policy," the minister noted in a written response.

The qualified inhabitants have been offered alternative rehabilitation equipped with modern amenities. The executing agencies carry out slum rehabilitation projects based on their land management policies and the slum rehabilitation framework of States and UTs.

During the slum rehabilitation and resettlement processes, land-owning agencies, implementing bodies, and affected families may also seek assistance through the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Urban (PMAY-U) and PMAY-U 2.0, provided beneficiaries meet eligibility criteria, the minister emphasized.

"The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has been complementing the endeavors of States and UTs by offering central support under PMAY-U since June 25, 2015, aimed at constructing homes for eligible families, including those in slums," he added.

"Moreover, drawing from the insights gained from the implementation of PMAY-U, MoHUA revamped the initiative and introduced PMAY-U 2.0 'Housing for All' Mission effective September 1, 2024, to assist an additional 1 crore beneficiaries in urban regions. PMAY-U 2.0 is executed through four segments: Beneficiary Led Construction, Affordable Housing in Partnership, Affordable Rental Housing, and Interest Subsidy Scheme," he stated.

"In total, Rs 2.05 lakh crore has been authorized as Central Assistance under PMAY-U and PMAY-U 2.0, with Rs 1.75 lakh crore already disbursed to States and UTs, and Rs 1.65 lakh crore utilized by these authorities. Although slum dwellers have benefitted from all sectors of PMAY-U, Rs 1,800 crore in Central Assistance has been specifically allocated for the In-Situ Slum Redevelopment vertical," the minister concluded.