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Seeking more houses for Odisha under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G), Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Odisha Panchayati Raj Minister Pradip Amat on Thursday called on Union Minister of Rural Development Giriraj Singh.
Earlier, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking additional houses for Odisha under PMAY-G. In his letter, Naveen had drawn the PM’s attention to the woes of families of cyclone-affected areas and tribal-dominated districts.
After CM’s letter, Centre has decided to provide an additional eight lakh houses under the scheme. However, Giriraj slammed the Odisha government for large scale of corruption and irregularities in construction of the houses under PMAY scheme.
Amat also accepted that there was large scale irregularities and corruption.
“The State government has dismissed 22 officials from service. As many as 44 officers have been suspended. Moreover, 268 employees have been served show cause notices,” informed Amat adding that Odisha government doesn’t tolerate corruption and would take stringent action against corrupt officials.
As per reports, Odisha has received a whopping Rs 7,000 crore under PMAY.
On the other hand, Centre has strictly advised for the construction of incomplete houses soon. It has also been advised to provide houses to genuine beneficiaries and add the logo of Central government.
“I held a discussion with Minister Amat over various issues. There should be transparency, no corruption and compromise for the genuine beneficiaries to avail PMAY-G. He will inform CM Naveen Patnaik and I will take further action after receiving a letter from the CM,” said Singh.
“We had a discussion on how landless and homeless people would get a house. In a joint effort, both Union and State government are working towards providing houses to the genuine poor beneficiaries,” said Amat.
On the other hand, locals alleged though schemes after schemes have been launched for providing houses, the real beneficiaries are not getting any benefit. Even today, more than 12.25 lakh people stay in dilapidated houses.
Jisudan Khila, a Chitrakonda resident said “Till date, I haven’t received a house under government launched schemes."
"I have become tired after visiting several government offices, but no one pays any heed to my ordeal. I make my living by selling firewoods. Snakes, rats and many kinds of reptiles have made home in my house and those scary creatures might kill me anytime," he added.
Similarly, Shyamsundar Murmu said, “I don't have a house of my own. I have approached every official from ward member, sarpanch to MLA, but of no avail.”
