Odisha Government Extends Antyodaya Housing Scheme, Aims for Additional Homes
The Odisha government has expanded the Antyodaya Housing Scheme, targeting the construction of nearly 300,000 more homes by 2029.
Bhubaneswar, October 15 (Daily Kiran) : The Odisha government has announced a significant extension of the Antyodaya Housing Scheme, with plans to construct an additional 291,666 homes. The scheme’s timeline has been extended by two years, now set to continue until 2029 instead of 2027.
In a statement from the Chief Minister‘s Office, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi emphasized the commitment to ensure housing for all residents of the state. He stated that the goal of providing homes to every family would soon be realized.
The total project budget remains at ₹7,550 crore. However, the ₹3,500 crore initially earmarked for repairs will now be redirected towards the construction of new homes.
The government clarified that beneficiaries who received ₹48,500 or less, along with other eligible families, will qualify for assistance under this scheme. The Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Department has been instructed to conduct a survey to identify new beneficiaries.
Additionally, the government has revised the incentives for completing home construction within the stipulated timeframe. Beneficiaries who finish their homes within five months will now receive an incentive of ₹35,000, an increase from the previous ₹20,000 for completing within four months. Those who complete their construction within seven months will receive ₹20,000, up from ₹10,000 for finishing within six months.
Majhi noted that these changes, announced on Thursday, are expected to benefit a larger number of people. The initial target of the scheme was to provide homes for five lakh families, particularly focusing on the poor and vulnerable who do not qualify for the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.
The scheme aims to provide permanent housing to eligible families who have been excluded from existing housing initiatives. This includes individuals affected by natural or man-made disasters, families displaced due to development projects, those with a disabled primary earner, and beneficiaries under the Forest Rights Act.
Under the special Antyodaya Housing Scheme, beneficiaries of rural housing initiatives are also incentivized to complete their home construction promptly.
