The government today raised the unit construction assistance for the rural poor to own affordable houses from Rs 45,000 to Rs 70,000.

The move under the popular Indira Awaas Yojana (IAY) will help thousands of rural poor who do not have a dwelling of their own but want to construct one. The assistance for hilly and other difficult areas has been increased from Rs 48,500 crore to Rs 75,000. The decision to raise the unit construction assistance was taken at a meeting of the Union Cabinet here.