PMAY: Against 3,600 applicants, only 130 pay 10% margin money in Sambhajinagar

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) has seen slow progress in the city, with only 130 of 3,638 applicants depositing the mandatory 10% margin money so far, prompting the municipal corporation to step up efforts to boost participation.Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Municipal Corporation (CSMC) has decided to bring beneficiaries, banks, and developers together to accelerate implementation of the scheme. Municipal commissioner Amol Yedage reviewed the progress and announced measures to improve outreach and facilitation."Through the desk, the banks are providing information and assistance to citizens regarding the necessary documentation and facilitating the easy availability of loans for the scheme. Also, outreach camps are being held to offer push for the scheme," Yedage said.A full-time PMAY information desk has been set up at Kala Dalan to assist applicants with documentation and loan processes.According to official data, the scheme is being implemented at five locations, but response in terms of margin money payment remains low. At Harsul, 350 applications have been received, but only 12 beneficiaries have paid. At Padegaon, 17 of 404 applicants have deposited the amount. Sundarwadi has seen 68 payments out of 1,695 applicants, while at Tisgaon 225-1, only 15 of 605 applicants have paid. At Tisgaon 227-1, 18 out of 584 applicants have deposited the required amount.Officials said the corporation is intensifying efforts to address bottlenecks, particularly access to finance, to ensure eligible beneficiaries avail of the housing scheme.PMAY is a flagship Govt of India initiative aimed at providing affordable housing to all in urban and rural areas.