The Odisha Government issued strict instructions to District Collectors to speed up the distribution of pucca houses to homeless families.
The Panchayati Raj Department directed officials to prioritise landless rural households and ensure the timely allocation of housing benefits.
According to the 2024 survey, nearly 37,89,234 families in Odisha still reside in kutcha houses, while 2,01,011 families remain homeless. Kendrapara district recorded the highest number of homeless individuals at 271, followed by Ganjam with 171.
To address landlessness, the department instructed District Collectors to hold joint meetings with Block Development Officers (BDOs) and Tehsildars on the first Saturday of every month. Consequently, the government aims to provide houses to eligible families within the stipulated timeframe.
The initiative falls under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G) scheme, which provides affordable housing to the rural poor. Beneficiaries receive financial assistance of Rs 1,20,000 in plain areas and Rs 1,30,000 in hilly regions. Furthermore, the Odisha Government has sanctioned 37 lakh new houses under PMAY-G, targeting vulnerable sections such as SC/ST communities, minorities, and families below the poverty line (BPL).
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