Odisha Govt eases Awas Yojana eligibility criteria for applicants

The housing allocation policy has been eased in Odisha and individuals who own motorcycles, refrigerators, or landlines will now qualify for housing under the updated Awas Yojana guidelines. These changes, recently disseminated to the District Collectors, reflect a departure from previous restrictions, an official source said on Thursday.

A simplified feature of the update is the introduction of online application process, allowing applicants to independently verify their eligibility. Furthermore, applicants can review the reasons for any previous rejection of their applications, marking a step toward enhanced transparency.

Also Read: Awas yojana houses in Bhubaneswar rented out; BMC mulling cancellation of allotment

Effective from the coming year, these guidelines mean ownership of common household items like fridges or motorcycles will no longer preclude participation in the housing scheme. District officials are tasked with organising awareness workshops at the panchayat (local governance) level to educate potential beneficiaries.

Prospective applicants can register on the 'Awas Plus 2024' website, providing details such as block, panchayat, and village names, alongside family information. The process requires e-KYC (Electronic Know Your Customer) verification, bank details, and housing condition data, supplemented by photographs.

Once applicants complete their self-survey, block authorities will proceed with further steps, contingent on applicants agreeing to an official government survey. Initial awareness workshops are scheduled to begin on December 2 to equip potential recipients with the necessary knowledge.

Among those hopeful for a new dwelling is Bhagaban Gouda from Keshara village under the Mohana block of Gajapati district, who faced repeated application setbacks. Similarly, Savita Nag from Denga panchayat under Saintala block of Bolangir district remains optimistic despite her prolonged struggle without a home. The recent modifications in policy rekindle their hopes for a favourable outcome.

Must Read: Separated sons eligible to get pucca houses: Odisha Minister

As of now, 28.25 lakh households have been approved under the scheme, with over 23 lakh homes constructed. The government has set an additional target of building 1,11,818 homes this year. The Panchayati Raj Minister confirmed in the Assembly that approximately 50,963 outstanding applications will be considered in a new survey initiative.

“We will hold awareness camps at panchayat levels. Any person can assess whether he/she is eligible for housing under the Awas Yojana or not, before applying for it. In case anyone gets excluded, we will not ignore an eligible applicant,” Panchayati Raj Minister Rabi Narayan Nayak said mediapersons.

Reported By: Mihir Jati, Abinash Nanda, Archana Satpathy, Soumya Ranjan Sahoo