Temporary migration for work no ground to deny PM Awas Yojana-Gramin benefits: Govt to CIC
Eligible migrant labourers cannot be denied pucca houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G) merely because they are temporarily residing outside their native village for employment, the Ministry of Rural Development has informed the Central Information Commission (CIC).
The clarification came during the hearing of an RTI appeal in which an applicant had sought information on whether rural families migrating temporarily for work could be deprived of benefits under PMAY-G and other rural welfare schemes.
According to a recent CIC order, the ministry submitted that “there is no specific order/circular/rule issued by the Ministry of Rural Development to the effect that a family shall be denied benefits under PMAY-G solely on the grounds that they are temporarily residing outside their native place for employment or labour purposes”.
The ministry further informed the CIC that eligibility under PMAY-G is determined in accordance with the framework and guidelines issued by the Centre, while the scheme is implemented by state governments.
The commission specifically asked the ministry whether any policy or rule exists that denies PMAY-G benefits to eligible beneficiaries because they are staying outside their native place.
In response, the ministry stated that “no such rule/policy exists”.
The ministry also explained that beneficiaries under PMAY-G are identified on the basis of housing deprivation parameters under the Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC) 2011, followed by verification through Gram Sabhas and the prescribed appeal process.
Financial assistance is provided to eligible rural households that are homeless or living in kutcha houses, subject to the scheme guidelines, it added.
Information Commissioner Khushwant Singh Sethi observed that the respondents had explained the factual position regarding the issues raised in the RTI application.
The commission directed the Ministry of Rural Development and the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation to provide a revised point-wise reply to the appellant, incorporating available factual information, specific website links and copies of relevant policies and rules.
