PATNA: The state government has officially requested the Centre to release ₹1,600 crore as a “Mother Sanction” under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana–Gramin (PMAY-G). This move comes after the state’s Single Nodal Account (SNA) was fully depleted, requiring new funds to ensure the continued construction of rural housing.
Rural Development Minister Shrawan Kumar stated that the request has been forwarded to the Union Ministry of Rural Development for approval, allowing for central assistance to be released in one comprehensive approval. This would enable ongoing payments to eligible beneficiaries.
As per the minister, Bihar has utilized ₹5,566.08 crore on PMAY-G initiatives to date. An additional ₹4,275.28 crore is necessary to complete the remaining housing units under the scheme. With the SNA running low on funds, the state has expressed its inability to maintain the payment timeline, making the “Mother Sanction” essential for the smooth execution of the program.
A “Mother Sanction” is a consolidated financial and administrative approval from the Union Ministry that allows for a lump-sum release of funds to a state’s SNA, instead of distributing funds to individual beneficiaries. Once this sanction is granted, state and local authorities can divide the total approved amount into instalments and directly transfer them to beneficiaries’ bank accounts using Aadhaar-linked and verified payment systems. This process aims to expedite the flow of funds, minimize delays, and ensure that payments are made strictly to qualified recipients, an official explained.
The minister also emphasized the achievements in Bihar’s rural housing sector, labeling it a significant success in providing permanent homes for homeless families. He noted that the state is nearing its PMAY-G target, having approved housing for 4,909,797 beneficiaries against a goal of 4,918,758 houses. Of these, 4,112,565 beneficiaries have completed construction, highlighting the urgent need for timely funding to finalize the remaining homes.
