Tightening its noose over the delay in PM Narendra Modi-led BJP government’s flagship programme- Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Gramin), the Union Ministry of Rural Development has introduced a set of penalties for the states, who will fail to sanction or construct the houses under the scheme in a timely manner.
According to a letter issued by the ministry, the States have to pay Rs 10 as fine per house for the first month and Rs 20 fine for each subsequent months if sanction of the house gets delayed for more than one month from the dates of issue of the target.
Similarly, if the first instalment gets delayed for more than seven days from the date of sanction, then the State governments have to pay Rs 10 as fine per house.
Moreover, the State governments will be fined Rs 10 per house if capturing and approval of the photograph of each stage get delayed by three days from the day the photographs were captured, the letter stated.
The order will come into effect from 1 October, the letter read. However, no penalty would be imposed, if no central funds are available with the State; provided that the state has sent its demand in time, along with complete set of documents, fulfilling all conditions for release of central share, including release of state share of funds, the letter stated.
“The Odisha govt is least interested for the implementation of PMAY scheme. The implementation of the penalty will definitely wake the State government from slumber,” State BJP general secretary Prithviraj Harichandan said.
“BJP will take no action against Naveen Patnaik-led government,” said Jayadev Jena, senior Congress leader.
Commenting on the development, Minister for Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Pradip Amat said, “We are yet to receive any letter from the centre. We are far ahead from centre’s statistics.”
Despite tall claims of State government regarding the implementation of PMAY scheme, the ground reality tells a different story as many beneficiaries in the State are waiting for months to get the instalments.
While, one Bijaylaxmi Mohanty, whose son and daughter-in-law are divyangs, is running from pillar to post to get the first instalment, the contractor in Dunguriguda area in Nabarangpur district has allegedly duped the beneficiaries by providing asbestos roofing instead of concrete.
“After getting sanction, we borrowed money and started the construction work. But, we have to stop midway as we are yet to receive the first instalment,” alleged Saroj Mohanty, son of Bijaylaxmi.
“We are tribals. The contractor has duped us by not providing concrete house,” alleged Manku Jani, a resident of Dunguriguda area.