Bhubaneswar, Oct 19: In a major push towards strengthening rural governance and uplifting underprivileged communities, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi virtually inaugurated the foundation laying of 471 Gram Panchayat offices and distributed the first installment under the Antyodaya Housing Scheme from Lok Seva Bhawan on Sunday.

Excluding Nuapada and Kalahandi districts, the initiative spans 28 districts across the state. A total of 48,693 beneficiaries received ₹40,000 each as the first installment for constructing homes under the Antyodaya scheme. The total disbursement amounted to ₹194.77 crore.

The Chief Minister highlighted that the scheme was launched on March 30 this year to provide permanent shelter to poor and vulnerable families. The government has earmarked ₹7,550 crore for the scheme between the fiscal years 2024–25 and 2027–28, aiming to build 5 lakh houses.

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Beneficiaries will receive ₹1.2 lakh in three instalments — ₹40,000, ₹65,000, and ₹15,000. Additionally, those who complete construction within four months will be rewarded with ₹20,000, while those finishing within six months will receive ₹10,000 as incentive.

To ensure holistic development, beneficiaries will also be provided with 95 days of MGNREGA wages in IAP districts and 90 days in non-IAP districts, along with access to basic amenities such as toilets and piped water.

CM Majhi emphasized that the scheme is not just about governance but service. “Under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we are transforming Gram Panchayats into centres of public welfare and service,” he said.

Each Gram Panchayat office will be built at a cost of ₹35 lakh with joint support from the central and state governments. These offices will serve as One Stop Service Centres, housing dedicated rooms for the Sarpanch, Panchayat Executive Officer, Junior Engineer, Gram Rozgar Sevak, and Accountant cum Data Entry Operator.

During the virtual event, CM Majhi interacted with beneficiaries and Sarpanchs from various districts, discussing the implementation and impact of the scheme. Beneficiaries expressed gratitude, stating that the scheme has given them hope and dignity through the promise of a secure home.

The event was attended by Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Department Director Vineet Bhardwaj, and officials from 28 districts including ministers, MPs, MLAs, and district administrators.