In June 2024, the Union Cabinet approved the construction of an additional ____ crore houses under PMAY-G for the period 2024–25 to 2028–29.

Correct option is A

The correct answer is (A) 2

Explanation:
• In June 2024, during one of its first major policy decisions following its formation, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, gave its formal approval to significantly expand the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G).
• The Cabinet approved providing financial assistance for the construction of 2 crore additional pucca houses over a five-year period stretching from financial year 2024–25 to 2028–29.
• This policy expansion was initiated to address the housing requirements of remaining eligible rural households who were either left out of previous socio-economic surveys or had newly formed families in need of shelter.
• The program ensures that these newly approved houses are structurally safe and equipped with basic modern amenities, including hygienic toilets, clean LPG cooking connections, electricity lines, and functional piped drinking water tap connections by converging with other flagship government welfare schemes.
• By setting this target, the government seeks to further its socio-economic goal of rural development, enhancing the living standards of marginalized communities while stimulating local economic growth and creating construction jobs in rural regions.

Information Booster:
• Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G) was originally launched in November 2016 with an initial objective to replace dilapidated structures and build 2.95 crore durable pucca houses in rural areas. The implementation cost is shared between the Center and States in a 60:40 ratio for plain states, and a 90:10 ratio for Northeastern and Himalayan states.

Additional Knowledge:
• 3 crore (Option B): While 2 crore houses were specifically sanctioned for the rural component (PMAY-G), the broader overall decision announced by the Union Government across both rural and urban areas (PMAY-Urban 2.0 combined) set a total cumulative goal of 3 crore houses, making 3 crore the macro-target for both sectors combined.
• 4 crore (Option C) and 5 crore (Option D): These figures represent much larger quantities that do not align with the specific individual targets approved by the Union Cabinet for the 2024–2029 rural housing expansion phase.