PMAY-U ‘non-starters’ seek relief ahead of PSC meet

Ovaise Gul
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12 May 2026

Srinagar, May 11: Ahead of the review meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee (PSC) on Housing and Urban Affairs (H&UA) scheduled to be held in Gulmarg on Tuesday, demands have grown in Jammu and Kashmir for a one-time relaxation for Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) Urban beneficiaries, whose cases were marked as “non-starter” last year despite now beginning construction work on their houses.

Pertinently, PMAY Urban Phase-I has been extended up to September 2026 to facilitate completion of under-construction houses at different stages. However, beneficiaries who had failed to start construction up to December 2025 were categorized as “non-starters” and were liable for cancellation or curtailment from the scheme.

Sources said that many such beneficiaries from different districts of Kashmir are now approaching various line departments, requesting reconsideration of their cases after having recently initiated construction activities.

Nearly 2000 such beneficiaries have urged authorities to take into account the unique climatic and geographical conditions of Jammu and Kashmir, particularly in Kashmir Valley, where harsh winters and limited working seasons often delay construction work for several months.

They argued that weather-related constraints, snowfall and difficult terrain prevented them from beginning work within the stipulated timeline, but many of them have now resumed or initiated construction during the current workable season. It has also been learnt that many of them have also received advance mobilization in the shape of the first installment nearly a year ago.

Officials familiar with the matter said representations seeking a one-time relaxation are being submitted to concerned authorities so that eligible beneficiaries at various stages of construction are not deprived of PMAY Urban assistance.

The issue is expected to figure prominently during discussions around housing implementation and urban development challenges in Jammu and Kashmir during the Parliamentary Standing Committee’s review meeting in Gulmarg.