Puri, Jan 24: In a major development, the Odisha government on Friday launched a survey for selecting the beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana- Gramin (PMAY-G).

Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Minister Rabi Narayan Naik formally launched the survey work from Arjunsinghpur village under Pipili block in Puri district'.

Speaking to media persons, Minister Naik said, “The State government is conducting the survey to identify all eligible beneficiaries without any discrimination. It is painful to see that the poorest of the poor families were denied a PMAY house unit during the previous BJD government.”

People can apply for a housing unit under the scheme through both online and offline modes, the Minister said. Families with two-wheelers, refrigerators, and landline phones can also be included in the survey.

The family income limit has been increased to Rs 15,000 per month, Naik said, adding that the eligibility criteria for availing the benefits under the scheme have been relaxed.

This apart, individuals who are separated from their families, like father and son or husband and wife, can also be accommodated in the survey. The people who had applied earlier and are still waiting for allotment of houses, can also apply again, he said.

Earlier, the Minister had informed the Assembly that about 50,963 outstanding applications will be considered in a new survey. He also stated that 28.25 lakh households have been approved under the scheme, while around 23 lakh homes have been constructed.

Naik said families, whose houses were damaged in fire mishaps, elephant attacks or other natural disasters, will be covered under the Antyodaya Gruha Yojana.

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