In a significant push towards inclusive rural growth, Odisha’s Minister for Panchayati Raj, Drinking Water and Rural Development, Rabi Narayan Naik, held high-level talks with Union Minister for Rural Development and Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, in the national capital on Tuesday.
The meeting, attended by Sambalpur MP and former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, other Odisha MPs, and Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Panchayati Raj & Drinking Water Department Girish S.N., focused on fast-tracking housing and rural infrastructure initiatives in the state.
A key highlight was the progress under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY). Around 38 lakh households have already been covered in a recent statewide survey. Physical verification of eligible beneficiaries—checking housing conditions and eligibility on the ground—is currently underway and is scheduled to conclude by August 27. Once the authorised beneficiary list is submitted by the Odisha government, the first phase of house allocations under PMAY is expected to begin in September.
Union Minister Chouhan lauded the Odisha government’s efficient handling of the survey and verification process. Naik reaffirmed the state’s firm commitment to ensuring that only genuine and deserving families receive the benefits of the housing scheme.
The discussions also covered the implementation of Viksit Bharat–Gram (VB-GRAM) in Odisha. Approximately ₹5,000 crore is projected to be utilised in the current financial year under this initiative. The programme aims to generate employment while creating lasting community assets and infrastructure at the village and Panchayat levels, aligning with the vision of a developed rural India.
This collaborative meeting signals a strong Centre-State partnership to deliver tangible benefits to Odisha’s rural population, bringing the dream of a pucca house and better village amenities closer to reality for thousands of families.
