Empowering Affordable Housing in Jammu & Kashmir: A Review of PMAY-U 2.0 Meeting

The Chief Secretary of Jammu & Kashmir, Atal Dulloo, recently presided over the 2nd meeting of the Union Territory Level Sanctioning & Monitoring Committee (UTLSMC) under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana–Urban (PMAY-U) 2.0. The meeting aimed to review implementation milestones, approve project proposals, and discuss quality monitoring, social audit compliance, and capacity building initiatives to enhance affordable housing delivery across the Union Territory.

Key Decisions and Initiatives

During the meeting, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo emphasized the importance of providing proactive support to economically weaker sections to ensure timely completion of their dwelling units. He directed Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) and Municipal Corporations to engage with eligible beneficiaries under the Interest Subsidy Scheme for Self Construction/Enhancement (ISSS) vertical of PMAY-U, with a target of reaching out to nearly 80,000 households through coordinated efforts.

The Committee approved 47 Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) submitted by various Urban Local Bodies under the Beneficiary-Led Construction (BLC) vertical, covering 879 dwelling units. This decision aims to strengthen the affordable housing ecosystem in the Union Territory and empower eligible beneficiaries to construct or upgrade their homes.

Commissioner Secretary of Housing & Urban Development Department (H&UDD), Mandeep Kaur, highlighted the significance of PMAY-U 2.0 in providing housing for all urban poor. She discussed the different scheme verticals, including BLC, Affordable Housing in Partnership (AHP), and ISSS, emphasizing their combined implementation to address the housing needs of eligible urban households in the UT.

Managing Director of J&K Housing Board, Shahbaz Ahmed Mirza, briefed the Committee on the Action Taken Reports (ATRs) submitted in response to observations by Third Party Quality Monitoring (TPQM) agencies for BLC houses. These reports play a crucial role in ensuring construction quality across projects sanctioned in multiple Central Sanctioning & Monitoring Committee (CSMC) meetings.

Social Audit and Capacity Building

The UTLSMC reviewed and approved the Social Audit Report for BLC projects, conducted to assess transparency, beneficiary satisfaction, selection processes, and adherence to approved norms. The audit, conducted across nine cities and towns of the Union Territory, will facilitate the release of final instalments under the BLC component.

The Committee also approved the Annual Capacity Building Plan under PMAY-U 2.0 for the financial year 2025–26. This plan aims to enhance institutional capacity, technical skills of implementing agencies, and monitoring efficiency across the housing mission.

Progress and Financial Update

The meeting reviewed physical and financial progress under PMAY-U 1.0, with 6,368 houses currently under construction in Jammu & Kashmir targeted for completion by September 30, 2026. Financially, mother sanctions have been received for BLC and salary components, with utilization certificates being prepared for submission.

Under the BLC vertical of PMAY-U 2.0, financial assistance of ₹2.50 lakh per house is provided, with Central Assistance released in three construction-linked instalments. The Chief Secretary stressed the importance of timely compliance reports, resolution of fund flow issues, and strengthening monitoring mechanisms for seamless benefit delivery to eligible beneficiaries.

Overall, the meeting highlighted the commitment of the UTLSMC to accelerate affordable housing delivery and ensure housing for all urban poor in Jammu & Kashmir, reflecting a collaborative effort between government agencies and stakeholders to address the housing needs of vulnerable communities.