Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi Thursday announced a two-year extension of the state’s rural housing scheme from 2027 to 2029, with plans to construct an additional 2.91 lakh houses.
The total project cost of Antyodaya Gruha Yojana will remain unchanged at Rs 7,550 crore, while Rs 3,500 crore originally earmarked for house repairs will be diverted towards constructing new houses, a statement issued by the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) said.
The government also revised and enhanced the incentives for beneficiaries who complete construction within the stipulated time.
Under the revised guidelines, beneficiaries will receive Rs 35,000 for completing their houses within five months and Rs 20,000 for completing them within seven months.
Earlier, beneficiaries were entitled to incentives of Rs 20,000 and Rs 10,000 for completing construction within four and six months, respectively.
The Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Department has been directed to conduct a survey and identify new beneficiaries for the scheme at the earliest, the statement said.
The scheme was initially aimed at providing houses to five lakh families, primarily poor and destitute households that were ineligible for assistance under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY).
Majhi said the state government’s goal of providing housing for everyone in Odisha would be achieved soon.