Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Sunday launched the Antyodaya Gruha Yojana at Bhawanipatna in Kalahandi district. The scheme aims to address the long-standing issue of housing for the underprivileged by providing them with pucca houses.
“Since the 1970s, securing a house has been a major challenge for the poor and common people. Even today, many are still without homes. This issue will be resolved, and everyone will be provided with a pucca house,” CM Majhi stated during the launch event. The scheme is expected to bring hope to the most vulnerable sections of society and enhance their living standards.
A Vision for Housing Security
During his speech, the Chief Minister also extended his greetings on the occasion of Hindu New Year, emphasizing that the initiative would help rural families live with dignity. He highlighted that in 2018, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had pledged to resolve housing issues through the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), and the Antyodaya Gruha Yojana is an extension of that vision in Odisha.
As part of the launch, work orders for 60,000 houses were distributed to beneficiaries.
Key Features of the Antyodaya Gruha Yojana
The government has set a target of constructing over 5 lakh houses within the next three years. This year alone, Rs 2,600 crore has been allocated for the scheme, with an additional Rs 7,550 crore earmarked for subsequent years. The Chief Minister noted that progress under the Biju Pucca Ghar Yojana had been slow in the past decade, necessitating a more robust initiative.
Financial Assistance and Facilities
Each beneficiary will receive Rs 1,20,000 to construct their house. The scheme will be integrated with other government initiatives to provide essential facilities, including:
- Toilets under the Swachh Bharat Mission
- Cooking gas under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana
- Clean drinking water through the Jal Jeevan Mission
- Electricity under the Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana (Saubhagya)
Additionally, beneficiaries will be provided with paid work for 90 to 95 days as unskilled laborers under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), 2005.
Prioritizing the Most Vulnerable
The scheme prioritizes people with disabilities, widows, families affected by chronic diseases (cancer, leprosy, kidney disease, liver cirrhosis, thalassemia), families of martyrs, the homeless, and victims of natural disasters such as floods.
To streamline the housing allocation process, the government has simplified the definitions of ‘family’ and ‘pucca ghar’. Asbestos, tin, and tile-roofed houses are now considered temporary structures, while RCC roofs with cement walls are classified as pucca houses. The definition of ‘family’ has also been adjusted to include husband, wife, dependent parents, and children.
Incentives for Early Completion
To encourage faster construction, the government has introduced incentives:
- Rs 20,000 for beneficiaries who complete their house within four months of receiving the first installment.
- Rs 10,000 for those completing their homes within six months.
Infrastructure Development in Kalahandi
At the launch event, CM Majhi emphasized Kalahandi’s cultural, historical, and agricultural richness. Responding to local demands, he announced the completion of concrete lining work on the left-side canal of the Indravati Multipurpose Water Project. To prevent tragedies like the Daan Majhi case, the government has introduced a 109-ambulance service.
CM Majhi also inaugurated infrastructure projects worth Rs 617.51 crore in Kalahandi, including:
- Julko In-stream Storage Structure (Rs 68.35 crore) in Kesinga block to provide drinking water for 9,000 people and support irrigation for Rabi crops.
- Grid substation and K.V. line at Bhundubahal (Rs 52 crore).
- Various projects for drinking water, education, health, and road development.
Government Commitment to Rural Welfare
Rural Development, Panchayati Raj & Drinking Water Minister Rabi Narayan Naik reaffirmed the government’s dedication to eliminating gaps in policy implementation. He warned that strict action would be taken against officials neglecting the needs of the poor.
Kalahandi MP Malvika Devi, Dharmagarh MLA Sudhir Ranjan Pattjoshi, and Kalahandi District Council President Puspendra Singh Deo were present at the event. Ministers, MPs, and MLAs from across the state joined virtually.
