RD Min seeks hike in assistance under Indira Awas Yojana

The Rural Development Ministry has sought enhancement of financial assistance given to beneficiaries under the Indira Awas Yojana (IAY) to Rs 1.15 lakh from the existing levels of Rs 70,000-75,000.
"We have sent the proposal to the Finance Ministry," said Rural Development Minister Birender Singh in Rajya Sabha during Question Hour.
Replying to a supplementary, he admitted that the current grant was not adequate to build a house which could be called a "home" and not just a "room".
The government has envisioned a "housing for all" plan in the country by 2022.
Under the centrally-funded IAY, financial assistance is provided to the rural BPL families for construction of houses. Over 73 lakh people have been benefitted in the last three years including current year so far, he said.

Replying to another question, he said during the last three years ending 2013-14, a total of 80,472 km road has been constructed under the Pradahan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana.