By TIOL News Service

NEW DELHI, JAN 20, 2021: PRIME Minister Mr Narendra Modi released financial assistance of around Rs 2,691 crore to 6.1 lakh beneficiaries in Uttar Pradesh under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana - Gramin (PMAY-G) today through video conference.

While interacting with the beneficiaries, he lashed out at the previous administrations, saying the poor lost confidence in the government after bearing the brunt of "wrong" policies. The Prime Minister recalled that the poor were unsure of the government's help and the constructions were not up to the mark.

He said "unprecedented" work is being done since the launch of the PM Awaas Yojna in 2016, when he had given the call of "Housing for All by 2022."

"This scheme has started changing the face of Indian villages. This scheme is linked with the hopes of millions and has given the poorest of poor the confidence that they can be a homeowner," the PM noted.

The Prime Minister's Office said that 1.26 crore houses have been built under the scheme so far, with each beneficiary receiving 100 per cent grant of Rs. 1.2 lakh in the plains and Rs. 1.3 lakh in the hilly states.

During his address, Mr Modi also praised UP Chief Minister Mr Yogi Adityanath for the all-round development and speedy implementation of the PMAY-G. Sharing details, he added that 22 lakh homes are to be constructed in the State, out of which 21.5 lakh have been approved.

The assistance includes the first instalment to 5.3 lakh beneficiaries and the second instalment to 80,000 families who will have completed construction till next winter.

The Prime Minister asserted that Aatmanirbhar Bharat is directly linked to the self-confidence of the country's citizens and a house enhances this self-confidence manifold as it brings assurance in life and also the hope of coming out of poverty.