Indira Awaas Yojana

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Social Welfare Schemes and Measures - 04
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Scheme Launched In :- 1985

The Indira Awaas Yojana (IAY) was launched in May 1985 as a sub-scheme of Jawahar Rozgar Yojana. It is being implemented as an independent scheme since 1 January 1996. The Indira Awaas Yojana aims at helping rural people below the poverty-line (BPL) belonging to SCs/STs, freed bonded labourers and non-SC/ST categories in construction of dwelling units and upgradation of existing unserviceable kutcha houses by providing assistance in the form of full grant. From 1995-96, the IAY benefits have been extended to widows or next-of-kin of defence personnel killed in action. Benefits have also been extended to ex-servicemen and retired members of the paramilitary forces as long as they fulfil the normal eligibility conditions of Indira Awaas Yojana. Three per cent of funds are reserved for the disabled persons living below the poverty-line in rural areas.  

Indira Awaas Yojana (IAY) is the biggest and most comprehensive rural housing programme ever taken up in the country.

Salient Features of Indira Awaas Yojana (IAY)

A] The funding of IAY is shared between the Centre and States in the ratio of 75:25. In the case of Union Territories, the entire funds of IAY are provided by the Center. Under IAY a BPL family is given grant of Rs.25000/- for new construction in plain areas and 27500/- for construction in hilly/difficult areas. Besides, IAY funds (up to maximum of 20% of the allocation) can be made available for upgradation or/ and credit-cum-subsidy scheme at the rate of Rs.12500/- for each dwelling unit

B] The criteria for allocation of IAY funds to the States and UTs involves assigning 75% weightage to housing shortages and 25% to poverty ratio. The allocation amount districts is based on 75% weightage to housing shortages and 25% to SC/ST components. Further 60% of the IAY allocation is meant for benefiting SC/ST families, 3% for physically handicapped and 15% for minorities. Also the AIY houses are expected to be invariably allotted in the name of women. In addition 5% of the central allocation can utilized for meeting exigencies arising out of natural calamities and other situations like riot, arson, fire, rehabilitation etc.

C] In order to introduce transparency in selection of beneficiaries, permanent IAY waitlists have to be prepared gram panchayath- wise by the States/Uts. These lists contain the name of deserving BPL families who need IAY houses in order of their poverty status based on the BPL list 2002.

D] Construction of an IAY house is the sole responsibility of the beneficiary. Engagement of constructors is prohibited and no specific type design has been stipulated for any IAY house. However, sanitary latrine and smokeless chullah are required to be constructed alongwith each IAY house. For construction of the sanitary latrine, the beneficiary can avail of the existing assistance from the total sanitation campaign.