In recent years, the Government of India has introduced various schemes aimed at assisting individuals, particularly from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, in acquiring land for residential and agricultural purposes. While there isn’t a direct scheme offering ₹25 lakh for land purchase, several initiatives provide substantial financial aid and support to facilitate land acquisition.
1. Bho Odethana Yojana (Land Ownership Scheme)
Launched by the Government of Karnataka, the Bho Odethana Yojana targets landless agricultural laborers, especially women from Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST). Under this scheme, eligible beneficiaries can receive financial assistance to purchase agricultural land.
- Financial Assistance: The scheme offers 50% subsidy on the unit cost, with a maximum limit of ₹25 lakh in urban areas like Bengaluru, and ₹20 lakh in rural areas.
- Loan Facility: The remaining amount is provided as a loan at an annual interest rate of 6%, repayable over 10 years in equal annual installments.
- Eligibility Criteria:
- Belonging to SC/ST categories.
- Landless agricultural laborers.
- Women applicants.
- Possession of Aadhaar, caste, income certificates, and bank passbook.
- Application Process: Applications can be submitted online through the Seva Sindhu portal, with the last date for submission being October 10, 2024.
2. Mukhyamantri Grihasthala Kraya Sahayata Yojana (Bihar)
In Bihar, the state government has introduced the Mukhyamantri Grihasthala Kraya Sahayata Yojana to assist landless families in acquiring land for housing.
- Financial Assistance: Each eligible family is provided with ₹1 lakh to purchase a minimum of 3 decimals (approximately 1,300 square feet) of land.
- Eligibility Criteria:
- Landless families without a permanent house.
- Residents of rural areas.
- Priority given to families displaced due to government projects or natural calamities.
- Implementation: The scheme is being implemented under the Operation Basera-2 campaign, with the Revenue and Land Reforms Department overseeing the process.
3. PM SVAMITVA Yojana (Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas)
The PM SVAMITVA Yojana is a national initiative aimed at providing rural residents with legal ownership rights over their properties.
- Objective: To enable rural residents to access financial services by providing them with property cards, thereby enhancing their economic status.
- Achievements:
- Over 65 lakh property cards distributed across 10 states and 2 Union Territories.
- Drone surveys conducted in more than 3 lakh villages.
- Benefits:
- Legal recognition of property ownership.
- Access to loans and other financial services.
- Reduction in property disputes.
4. Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Urban (PMAY-U) 2.0
The PMAY-U 2.0 scheme focuses on providing affordable housing to urban poor, with provisions for land acquisition in certain cases.
- Financial Assistance: Beneficiaries can avail of home loans up to ₹25 lakh for houses costing up to ₹35 lakh, with an interest subsidy of 4% on loans up to ₹8 lakh.
- Eligibility Criteria:
- Economically Weaker Sections (EWS): Annual income up to ₹3 lakh.
- Lower Income Groups (LIG): Annual income up to ₹6 lakh.
- Middle Income Groups (MIG): Annual income up to ₹9 lakh.
- Implementation: The scheme is implemented through four verticals: Beneficiary Led Construction (BLC), Affordable Housing in Partnership (AHP), Affordable Rental Housing (ARH), and Interest Subsidy Scheme (ISS).
5. Lakshmi Bhandar Scheme (West Bengal)
The Lakshmi Bhandar Scheme is a social welfare initiative by the Government of West Bengal aimed at providing financial assistance to women from economically weaker sections.
- Financial Assistance: Eligible women receive ₹1,200 per month (for SC/ST) and ₹1,000 per month (for others) directly into their bank accounts.
- Objective: To empower women financially, enabling them to contribute to household expenses, including land acquisition.
- Eligibility Criteria:
- Women aged between 25 and 60 years.
- Residents of West Bengal.
- Belonging to economically weaker sections.
Conclusion
While there isn’t a single government scheme offering ₹25 lakh for land purchase, various initiatives provide substantial financial assistance and support to individuals seeking to acquire land. Schemes like the Bho Odethana Yojana and Mukhyamantri Grihasthala Kraya Sahayata Yojana offer direct financial aid, while the PM SVAMITVA Yojana and PMAY-U 2.0 provide legal recognition and financial support for housing. Additionally, the Lakshmi Bhandar Scheme empowers women financially, enabling them to invest in land and other assets.
Individuals interested in these schemes should check the specific eligibility criteria and application processes for each program. Engaging with local authorities and relevant departments can provide further guidance and assistance in availing these benefits.