Seven lakh families get PMAY homes as CM Majhi launches housing drive in Balangir

Balangir, Nov 14: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Saturday reaffirmed his government's commitment to providing pucca houses to every eligible family, stating that more than five lakh houses have been sanctioned and delivered within the last two years.

He made the remarks while launching a special programme under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G) in Balangir district.

The event, held at Patharchepa Ground, was attended by Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Deputy Chief Minister KV Singh Deo, Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling, and Panchayati Raj Minister Rabi Narayan Naik.

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Addressing the gathering, CM Majhi said the government's goal is to ensure that every deserving citizen has a permanent roof over their head. Under the PMAY-G initiative, around seven lakh beneficiaries received housing benefits. He also announced developmental projects worth over Rs 911 crore across 248 projects for Balangir district.

The Chief Minister highlighted reforms in Odisha's social security pension system, claiming that beneficiaries now receive pensions more efficiently.

He said citizens who attain the age of 60 would receive pension benefits within a month of becoming eligible. “We believe in delivering results through action, not just promises,” he said.

Union Minister Chouhan used the platform to criticise the previous BJD government, alleging large-scale irregularities in the implementation of the PMAY scheme. He claimed that many eligible beneficiaries were deprived of housing benefits despite central assistance being allocated for them.

According to Chouhan, investigations revealed that deserving families had been excluded from the scheme in the past. He accused the former government of denying poor residents their rightful benefits, adding that the current administration is working to correct those shortcomings.

The Union Minister assured beneficiaries that no eligible family would be deprived of assistance under PMAY.

He emphasized that adequate funds would be provided to ensure all deserving households receive permanent homes, saying the government remains committed to improving the lives of the poor through housing and welfare initiatives.