Budget 2024: Govt to launch housing scheme for deserving middle class, says Sitharaman

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday announced the government's plan to initiate a housing program aimed at enabling the deserving middle class to purchase or construct their own homes.Sitharaman, in her pre-election Budget, which is technically a vote on account and popularly termed an interim Budget, said the government will also adopt an economic approach that facilitates sustainable development and improves productivity.Highlighting the achievement of PM Awas Yojana (Grameen), the Union Finance Minister said that despite the challenges due to COVID, implementation of the scheme continued and the government is close to achieving the target of three crore houses.She said that two crore more houses will be taken up in the next five years to meet the requirement arising from an increase in the number of families.PM Awas Yojana (Rural) is close to achieving the target of 3 crore houses.She also mentioned about rooftop solarisation to ensure one crore household free electricity of up to 300 units per month, leading to household savings of Rs 15,000-18,000 annually.The finance minister said the government will set up more medical colleges, utilising existing hospital infrastructure.Besides, utmost attention will be paid to the development of the eastern region and its people.With inputs from agencies