Bhubaneswar: Household survey to identify beneficiaries under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana- Gramin (PMAY-Rural) to start from January 24 and to be completed within two months.
Speaking to media persons here today, Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Minister Rabi Narayan Naik said the eligible persons can also apply to get a house under PMAY from their end. They can apply in both online or offline mode. A portal would also be launched for this purpose.
Shri Naik appealed to the poor people residing in kutcha houses to apply under PMAY. It was expected that 18 lakh new beneficiaries would be there in the state. However, the number may increase to 20 or 22 lakhs, he said.
“No proper list of eligible families for rural housing schemes was prepared in the past. So, we are conducting the survey to identify all eligible beneficiaries without any discrimination,” the minister said.
The PMAY guidelines have also relaxed to include maximum households under the scheme. Now, the families owning two-wheelers and refrigerators and earning up to Rs 15,000 per month can avail the benefit of the rural housing scheme, he said.
Shri Naik said the families, whose houses were damaged in fire mishaps, elephant attacks or other natural disasters, will be covered under the Antyodaya Gruha Yojana. Besides, if any eligible household left out during the survey, would also be included under this scheme, he added.
Notably, the Union Cabinet, in August 2024, approved construction of two crore houses under PMAY-Gramin during the next five years till 2029. Under the scheme, the housing assistance is shared between the Centre and the state in the ratio of 60:40.