Bhubaneswar, Aug 5: A staggering 4.29 lakh pucca houses sanctioned under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) remain incomplete in Odisha, raising serious concerns about mismanagement and possible corruption during the tenure of the previous BJD government. The data, presented in the Lok Sabha, has sparked intense scrutiny of the state’s rural housing “irregularities”.

According to the Ministry of Rural Development, Odisha received a total of 28.49 lakh pucca houses under PMAY in last eight years. Of these, 28.11 lakh were allocated by the state government, but only 24.20 lakh have been completed. The remaining houses—many lying half-built for years—are scattered across districts, leaving thousands of beneficiaries in limbo.

Year-wise data reveals a consistent backlog. For instance, in 2021–22 alone, over 2 lakh houses were left incomplete. In 2024–25, more than 61,000 homes remain unfinished. This prolonged delay violates PMAY norms, which mandate completion within one year of sanction.

Odisha’s Panchayati Raj Minister Ravi Narayan Nayak has acknowledged the issue and assured that action will be taken against those responsible. “Whoever is accountable will face consequences. All incomplete houses must be finished by December,” he said.

The revelations have cast a shadow over the previous BJD government, which had promised incentives for early completion—Rs20,000 for finishing within four months and Rs10,000 within six months. Despite these assurances, the ground reality paints a grim picture.

Beneficiaries have voiced frustration, alleging that while some ineligible individuals received houses, genuine applicants were left waiting. The current BJP government has pledged to investigate these claims and ensure transparency going forward.
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