RABINARAYAN JENA, OP
Bhubaneswar: Central assistance allocated to Odisha under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana–Urban (PMAY-U) and PMAY-U 2.0 is not being utilised within the stipulated timeframe. A review by Housing and Urban Development (H&UD) department has identified three key reasons behind the delay. Following queries raised by the department, Sangram Keshari Biswal, Deputy Secretary of the Odisha Urban Housing Mission (OUHM), submitted a report to the department’s Financial Adviser, outlining the factors responsible for the slow utilisation of funds.
According to the report, a substantial portion of the funds allocated under the Beneficiary-Led Construction (BLC) component remained unutilised during the 2025–26 financial year. Under this component, financial assistance is released to beneficiaries in installments based on the progress of house construction and completion of the required geo-tagging. Consequently, the utilisation of funds largely depends on how quickly beneficiaries commence and complete construction. The report noted that central assistance allocated to the state is primarily linked to approved Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) and the inclusion of beneficiaries’ housing details in these reports.
However, many beneficiaries under PMAY-U have failed to achieve the expected progress in house construction within the prescribed timelines for 2025–26. As a result, several houses continue to remain classified as “BLC houses under construction” for extended periods. Field inspections have identified three major factors contributing to the delays. Serious health problems affecting family members have slowed construction in some households, while the death of an important family member has disrupted work in other cases.
In several instances, construction has also been delayed because beneficiaries urgently require additional financial assistance but are unable to access it due to the conditions and provisions of the scheme. The report further stated that funds allocated under the BLC component for a particular financial year are reallocated to the state in the following financial year for beneficiaries who fail to achieve the required construction progress within the stipulated period. However, the funds remain earmarked for the respective beneficiaries.
Projects under the Affordable Housing in Partnership (AHP) component have been approved by the Central Sanctioning and Monitoring Committee. Funds allocated for a particular financial year may be reallocated in the subsequent year, with their release subject to the fulfilment of formalities prescribed under the PMAY-U guidelines. Similarly, funds earmarked for Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities, geo-tagging and social audits have also been reallocated to subsequent financial years. According to Biswal, these funds are being utilised in the following years.
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