The Rajasthan Urban Development Department has drafted amendments to the Mukhyamantri Jan Awas Yojana to encourage greater participation from private developers in affordable housing projects for economically weaker sections (EWS) and lower-income groups (LIG). The proposed changes aim to improve the financial viability of such developments while addressing issues related to project location, infrastructure access and construction delays.
The draft amendments propose additional buildable area ratio (BAR), exemptions from various government charges and revised land requirements for affordable housing developments. The proposals are currently under consideration and will be discussed before being formally notified by the state government.
According to a senior official from the Urban Development Department (UDH), the proposed revisions are intended to attract private builders and accelerate the creation of affordable housing stock across Rajasthan.
Additional BAR to Improve Project Viability
A key provision in the draft is the proposal to grant an additional BAR of 1.0 for EWS and LIG housing. Individual residential projects may also receive additional BAR ranging from 0.75 to 2.0, depending on the height of the building.
The additional development potential is expected to provide developers with greater flexibility in utilising available land and improving the financial feasibility of affordable housing projects.
The state government has also proposed a 100% exemption from several levies, including land conversion charges. These financial incentives are intended to reduce the overall cost of project development and encourage private developers to undertake housing projects for lower-income households.
Officials believe that the combination of additional buildable area and fee exemptions could make affordable housing developments more attractive to private sector participants.
Revised Location Norms for EWS and LIG Housing
The proposed amendments also seek to address concerns regarding the location of mandatory EWS and LIG housing units. Under the existing system, developers have reportedly constructed these units at considerable distances from their main residential projects, affecting beneficiaries’ access to essential infrastructure and services.
The revised provisions propose restricting the distance between the main residential project and the associated affordable housing units. The permissible distance will depend on the population of the city or town.
Under the proposed norms:
- In cities with a population exceeding 10 lakh, EWS and LIG housing units must be developed within a 5 km radius of the main project.
- In cities with populations between 1 lakh and 10 lakh, the distance limit will be 3 km.
- In towns with populations below 1 lakh, the units must be located within 2 km of the main development.
The concerned civic authorities will be responsible for granting the necessary permissions for these developments.
The location restrictions are intended to improve access to roads, water supply, public transport and other basic services for EWS and LIG residents. Keeping affordable housing closer to the main development may also help beneficiaries access nearby employment and social infrastructure.
Minimum Land Requirement Revised
Another significant proposal concerns the minimum land area required for affordable housing projects. The draft amendments propose increasing the minimum plot size from the existing 5,000 sq m to more than 10,000 sq m.
This revision is expected to encourage larger developments and provide scope for better planning and infrastructure provisions within affordable housing projects.
A town planner noted that the proposed changes address several shortcomings in the existing scheme, including construction delays and stalled projects.
Government to Review Draft Proposals
The proposed amendments to the Mukhyamantri Jan Awas Yojana reflect Rajasthan’s efforts to increase private sector participation in affordable housing while improving the delivery and accessibility of EWS and LIG homes.
However, the proposals will take effect only after discussions and formal notification by the state government. Once implemented, the revised provisions could influence how developers plan affordable housing components, select project locations and assess the financial feasibility of residential developments across the state.
