• Rajiv Awas Yojana (RAY), a housing initiative introduced by the central government, aims to provide homes to qualified beneficiaries with a size of only 30 sqm. It is a beneficial program where some of its merits include financial aid, subsidies, and a cost-effective housing unit.
• Now, let us explore how effective it is in assisting the urban poor and whether it has achieved its goals.

What is Rajiv Awas Yojana (RAY)?

• Rajiv Awas Yojana (RAY) is regarded as one of the most significant housing projects undertaken by the Indian Government since 2011. It aims to develop and provide low-cost shelter to the disadvantaged communities living in the slums of cities in the developing nation. The initiative encompasses slum rehabilitation and also involves the provision of land and infrastructure for housing. Additionally, it advocates for housing projects aimed at low-cost or affordable housing.

Features of Rajiv Awas Yojana

Rajiv Awas Yojana is a housing initiative with the following characteristics and advantages:
1. The initiative functions through two implementation methods: creating a strategy to eliminate slum regions in the city and developing detailed plans for specific slums.
2. This initiative is executed by providing financial assistance to states, union territories, urban local bodies (ULBs), and centrally mandated authorities.
3. It also offers financial support in the Affordable Housing in Partnership program under Rajiv Awas Yojana aimed at generating affordable housing stock through public-private partnerships.
4. Affordable housing in partnership is a program where the central government supports economically weaker sections or low-income groups with Rs. 75,00,000 per dwelling unit sized between 21 to 40 sq mtr.

Eligibility criteria for Rajiv Awas Yojana

The Rajiv Awas Yojana program under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs aims to construct affordable homes for the EWS and LIG beneficiaries in urban areas. To be eligible for this initiative, applicants must satisfy the following criteria:
Category A

• The threshold for this category is positively determined based on individuals residing in urban areas with a population of 5 lakh or more per Dwelling Unit (DU). The maximum eligible grant for this category is set at Rupees Five Lakh. This category includes a substantial portion of the Indian populace living in urban areas and encompasses numerous large metropolitan regions of the country. Given the high living expenses and housing costs, this funding limit would significantly benefit those looking to obtain quality and affordable homes in these areas.

Category B

• This category targets individuals in urban regions with a population of fewer than 500,000 per Dwelling Unit (DU) but more than 200,000. For this category, the funding cap is set at Rupees Four Lakh. As a smaller urban scheme, it offers a lower funding limit than Category A, but it recognizes the variations in living costs and property values in smaller towns. This assistance can significantly contribute to achieving the objective of providing housing for those residing in these areas.

Category C

• The last category encompasses individuals who live in urban areas of special category states, which include Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and also North-Eastern states. A fixed amount of funding is allocated per Dwelling Unit (DU) in this category, which is Rupees Five Lakh, regardless of the city’s population. Consequently, the provisions of the Act aim to acknowledge the challenges faced in such regions and to guarantee the appropriate allocation of resources to improve housing opportunities for people in these areas.

Benefits of the Rajiv Awas Yojana Scheme

The Rajiv Awas Yojana (RAY) scheme, another initiative by the Indian government in 2011, aims at providing housing solutions for low-income groups.
Here are several of its key benefits:
1. Enabling underprivileged individuals to pay a nominal fee to secure homes for their families.
2. Specialized grants from RAY are allocated to states, union territories, and ULBs to encourage affordable housing schemes under Rajiv Awas Yojana.
3. Funding to assist agencies in offering suitable and effective housing facilities for economically weaker sections (EWS) and low-income group (LIG) populations.
4. AHP stands for affordable housing in partnership. The AHP component of RAY permits the central government to provide a cash incentive of Rs. 75,000 for each EWS/LIG family towards developing residential units with a floor area of 21 – 40 sq. meters. The assistance provided helps families afford decent and reasonable shelter.
5. Skill Development and Employment: This indicates that RAY values skill development and job creation in transforming urban communities. The components include the provision of training programs and employment qualifications to enhance opportunities for slum dwellers and others in vulnerable situations. Therefore, to realize its goals and objectives, RAY has aimed to create job opportunities, which will in turn improve living standards while alleviating poverty in urban areas.
6. Sustainable Urban Living: Besides providing homes for low-income families, RAY also promotes proper usage and management of limited resources in urban settings. Additionally, it advocates for green building practices, efficient energy consumption, and waste management concerning the housing complexes of the scheme. By implementing sustainability in the design and execution of infrastructures as a community, RAY also contributes to enhancing health and sustainability within the urban framework.

How to Apply for RAY?

1. Navigate to the homepage of the website and click on Apply Now.
2. You will be required to fill out a questionnaire where you must provide your personal information as well as your family’s earnings.
3. Scan and upload the required documents including income certificate, address proof, identity proof, and others.
4. Once your application has been successfully submitted, you will receive an application number.
5. You will be informed of your application status via email or SMS.

Contact Details for Rajiv Awas Yojana Scheme

1. Visit the MoHUA Website: Access the official homepage of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) at https://mohua. gov. in
2. Locate the Contact Information: Click on the “About Us” tab or select the “Contacts” menu.
3. Reach Out to the Relevant Official: It lists email addresses, phone numbers, and official posts of officials. Just identify the individual regarding your complaint or issue and try to reach out to them.

Frequently Asked Questions On Rajiv Awas Yojana

1. What is the function of property insurance in Rajiv Awas Yojana?

• Property insurance is a crucial component of Rajiv Awas Yojana as it provides homeowners with a safety net against losses or damages to their property. Through this scheme, the government may offer subsidies to housing to reduce the expenses of obtaining property insurance, which could deter low-income earners due to the high costs of homeownership.

2. What benefits does Rajiv Awas Yojana provide?

• Subsidised housing
Recipients can receive financial assistance to purchase or construct homes at reduced market prices.
• Home insurance
Another aspect of the scheme is the availability of an insurance policy for homes to address various risks associated with the property.
• Property insurance
In terms of property insurance, RAY offers coverage against risks such as damages or losses resulting from natural disasters or accidents.

Conclusion

Rajiv Awas Yojana is a commendable initiative aimed at helping low-income families in building their homes in an effort to provide economic stability to these families. When RAY’s financial assistance is combined with insurance that also includes sufficient coverage, individuals can create a promising, secure, and comfortable future in their residences.

Disclaimer
The information above is for illustrative purposes only. For further details, please consult the policy wordings and prospectus prior to finalizing the sales.