Finance
In a significant New Year initiative to provide shelter to the underprivileged, the Odisha government would distribute 10 lakh pucca houses in January, Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Minister Rabi Narayan Naik announced on Friday. The Minister described it as a New Year’s gift for the economically disadvantaged, and stated that the government is dedicated to ensuring that no qualified person is denied housing assistance.
The Minister stated that the state has received 27 lakh online applications through the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana so far. 34 lakh beneficiaries have been shortlisted, and the list has already been forwarded to the Central Government for clearance. The final list is likely to be received this month, after which work orders would be issued gradually for the construction of pucca houses. The government has set a target of 10 lakh dwellings for the first phase.
Naik claimed that during the previous administration, some qualified beneficiaries were denied pucca houses. He promised that the current administration has exercised tight departmental oversight to guarantee that all eligible families receive housing benefits this time. He further mentioned that the state government will provide pucca dwellings to qualified citizens who are excluded from the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana for whatever reason. The decision has already been authorized by the state cabinet.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has declared that the Antyodaya Yojana will cover homeless and underprivileged households. Houses under this initiative would be developed similarly to PMAY, with financial support of ₹1.20 lakh per beneficiary. The government has set a target of building at least 2.25 lakh new pucca dwellings under the Antyodaya Yojana during the next three years.
The Minister mentioned that, similar to PMAY, incentives will be provided under the Antyodaya Yojana for early house completion. Beneficiaries completing construction within four months will earn a bonus of ₹20,000, while those completing within six months would receive ₹10,000.
To widen the scheme’s scope, the Antyodaya Yojana defines family as husband, wife, dependent parents, and children. This measure is intended to help freshly formed families as well. According to the Minister, the Antyodaya Yojana will cost around ₹7,550 crore.
