Carpet area of houses eligible for subsidy under CLSS increased for MIG

Speed Post News Network

New Delhi : In a major decision to boost Affordable housing, the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs, has approved the revision of the carpet area of houses eligible for interest subsidy under the Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme (CLSS) for the Middle-Income Group (MIG) under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban). In respect of MIG I “up to 120 square metre”, it is to be increased to “up to 160 square metre” ,and in respect of MIG II “up to 150 square metre” to “up to 200 square metre”.

The decision is another big step to boost the construction sector that contributes to increased activity on the supply side. This initiative is expected to result in enhanced economic activity that would contribute to improvement in the demand side. These enhancements will now enable more MIG customers to qualify for subsidy and avail the benefits provided under the ambitious flagship Mission of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban).

Apart from increasing the number of beneficiaries, the increase in carpet area will improve the construction activity and will assist in moving the housing sector forward, according to a PIB release.

This also augurs well with the Reserve Bank of India policy to revise the housing loan limits for Priority Sector lending (PSL) eligibility where it has been decided to revise the housing loan limits for PSL eligibility from existing Rs 28 lakh to Rs 35 lakh in metropolitan centres (with population of ten lakh and above) and from existing Rs 20 lakh to Rs 25 lakh in other centres, provided the overall cost of the dwelling unit in the metropolitan centre and at other centres does not exceed Rs 45 lakh and Rs 30 lakh respectively.

The increased construction activity in housing sector has impact on core sectors like cement, steel, machinery and other allied sectors. More construction activity in the urban areas would result in creation of more jobs for both skilled and unskilled workers.

The MIG segment is an aspirational class which is upwardly mobile. The role of the hardworking citizens belonging to the MIG segment, who play a significant role in the economy of the country, has been acknowledged by the government time and again. The intent of the CLSS for MIG is to support the dream of every family in owning a house.

The decision to increase the carpet area for MIG section was done after inputs from various stakeholders. One of key issues was denial of CLSS benefit to potential beneficiaries because they were buying flats/houses, constructing houses, where the carpet area exceeded the cap of either 120 square metre or 150 square metre, thus rendering them ineligible for the interest subsidy under MIG. As on June 11, 2018, an amount of Rs 736.79 crore has been disbursed to 35,204 beneficiaries belonging to the MIG category.