Government schemes are important part of UPSC preparation. Lets understand some of the important government schemes under Ministry of Housing and Urban Affair (MoHUA).
Smart Cities Mission by MoHUA
- The Smart Cities Mission aims to drive economic growth and enhance the quality of life, by leveraging local development and technology. It defines a smart city as one that has basic infrastructure to ensure a decent quality of life and a sustainable environment.
- Key infrastructure components of smart cities include adequate water and electricity supply, sustainable sanitation and waste management. Efficient urban mobility, affordable housing, robust IT connectivity, and effective governance.
- Smart Cities prioritize addressing pressing needs and seizing opportunities to improve residents lives by employing various strategies such as digital technologies, urban planning best practices, public-private partnerships, and policy reforms.
- The objectives of the Smart Cities Mission focus on promoting cities that offer core infrastructure, a decent quality of life, and sustainable environments.
- The Smart Cities Mission covers 100 cities over a five-year duration, with financial support from the Central Government and matching contributions from State/ULBs totaling approximately Rs. 1 lakh crore.
- Concerns and challenges include the creation of isolated pockets of development, inadequate data analysis capabilities, weak interventions by agencies, and insufficient emphasis on urban local bodies.
Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT)
AMRUT is the new form of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNN
- The Urban Rejuvenation Mission (URM) will prioritize the following areas:
- Water supply
- Sewerage and septage management
- Stormwater drainage to mitigate flooding
- Non-motorized urban transport
- Creation of green parks
- AMRUT targets 500 cities, including those with populations exceeding one lakh, state capitals, heritage cities, and hill stations.
- Implementation follows a project-based approach, with 10% of funds earmarked as incentives for achieving reforms.
- States are required to submit annual action plans for fund release, with central assistance covering 50% of project costs for smaller cities and one-third for larger ones.
- Funds are swiftly transferred from states to urban local bodies within seven days, with penalties imposed for any diversion of funds.
Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana by MoHUA.
- The Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation (MoHUPA) initiated the Housing for All Mission in Mission mode.
- The mission addresses the housing requirements of urban poor, including slum dwellers, through various program verticals.
- The beneficiaries encompass economically weaker sections (EWS), low-income groups (LIGs), and middle-income groups (MIGs).
- The mission extends to 500 cities and towns, with a focus on statutory towns and heritage cities.
- Implementation is executed through a centrally sponsored scheme with phases spanning from 2015 to 2022.
- The mission facilitates the construction of houses, slum rehabilitation, and affordable housing in collaboration with the public and private sectors.
- The government offers subsidies and grants to eligible beneficiaries for housing and sanitation facilities.
- Challenges entail mobilizing funds, land availability, and limited private sector involvement.
Also learn about important government schemes on education from here.