RDD&PR Deptt organizes district-level workshops to strengthen PMAY-G 2.0 implementation

SRINAGAR: In a concerted effort to ensure the effective execution of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana - Gramin (PMAY-G) 2.0, the Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (RDD&PR) Department organized a series of district-level workshops in Pulwama, Ganderbal, Budgam and Kupwara.

The workshops aimed to educate officials and beneficiaries about the scheme’s objectives, eligibility criteria, application procedures, and digital tracking system. The initiative comes at a crucial time as the registration process for PMAY-G 2.0 enters its final phase.

The workshop was attended by Block Development Officers (BDOs), Panchayat Secretaries, field officials, and beneficiaries, who actively participated in discussions on housing benefits and digital accessibility. A key focus of the workshops was the digital transformation under PMAY-G 2.0.

Officials provided live demonstrations on the AwaasSoft portal and Awaas App, enabling beneficiaries to track their application status and fund disbursement in real-time. Special attention was given to ensuring the inclusion of marginalized groups, women-headed households, and differently abled individuals, in line with the government’s vision of ‘Housing for All.’

Among the many attendees, Jameela Bano from Budgam expressed her gratitude for the workshop. “For years, I lived in a kutcha house with my children. Today, I understand how to apply for a pucca house and check my application status on my own. This scheme has given me hope,” she said.

Likewise, Bashir Ahmad, a beneficiary from Kupwara, lauded the transparency introduced through digital tracking. “Earlier, we were in the dark about our applications. Now, with the AwaasSoft portal, we can monitor every step. This is a game-changer for people in rural areas,” he remarked.

In Pulwama, beneficiaries were trained on the Awaas Plus 2.0 App for seamless application tracking. A day-long session in Ganderbal emphasized real-time beneficiary tracking and grievance redressal to maintain transparency in housing allocation. Officials also demonstrated digital tools for application monitoring.

Experts elaborated on the latest PMAY-G 2.0 guidelines, exclusion criteria, and new features designed for effective execution. The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G) now has updated eligibility criteria with a focus on inclusivity, including reduced exclusion criteria, the removal of conditions like fishing boat ownership, and a raised income threshold to ₹15,000 per month.

Over three lakh ‘pucca’ houses were constructed under PMAY in the past two years in Jammu and Kashmir. A total of 3,04,544 houses – 2,60,124 in Jammu and 44,420 in Kashmir – were completed as of March 18, 2025, under the centrally sponsored PMAY-G scheme, against the sanctioned 2,86,057 houses in Jammu and 48,806 houses in the valley. The state-level team from the department also participated in the workshops and orientation program.