PMAY Assistance To Be Raised To Rs 1.8 Lakh From Rs 1.2 Lakh: PR&DW Minister
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Minister for Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water, Rabi Narayan Naik, announced on Monday that the financial aid provided under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) will be increased from the current Rs 1.2 lakh to Rs 1.8 lakh. He mentioned that a notification along with guidelines will soon be issued.
He also stated that if MGNREGA is integrated into the scheme, beneficiaries could receive approximately Rs 2 lakh. Furthermore, the minister revealed plans to raise the financial assistance for constructing toilets from Rs 12,000 to Rs 20,000.
Naik disclosed that the BJP-led Odisha government intends to launch the Odisha Antyodaya Gruha Yojana to support individuals whose homes have been affected by fires, elephant attacks, or other natural calamities. He criticized the previous BJD government’s ‘Mo Ghara’ scheme as a mere political gimmick, asserting that it failed to benefit anyone.
He reiterated that the financial aid for toilets has been increased from Rs 12,000 to Rs 20,000 and that the state government aims to construct each residential house as a model house, complete with provisions for water, toilets, and electricity.
He condemned the prior administration’s ‘Mo Ghar Yojana’ as an election strategy, claiming it lacked clear guidelines and failed to provide any real benefits, leading to disinterest among the people after learning about the associated loan of 3 lakh rupees.
The minister said, “In response to natural disasters, we are resolving to supply additional housing. In case the homes are destroyed by floods, storms, or elephants, the government will allocate new homes under the Antyodaya scheme. This also applies to homes damaged by fire for any reason.”
“Previously, there was no mechanism to shelter those affected. The current administration has deliberated and resolved that whether homes are submerged by floods, consumed by fire, or demolished by elephants, immediate housing will be provided to the victims under the Antyodaya scheme”, Naik added.
