In yet another instance of massive irregularities in Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) in Odisha, a woman of Odisha village has accused a small time political leader of demanding sexual favours for availing an affordable house under the credit-linked subsidy scheme by the Government of India.
“I will understand your problems, if you understand mine,” is what the woman was told indirectly hinting at sexual favours.
While people with double-storied buildings are getting houses under PMAY, genuine beneficiaries are being deprived of the housing units as they refused to entertain the political leader’s bizarre demands.
“I do not understand why I’m being deprived of a house. Once a local leader told me ‘You understand my problem, I will understand yours’. Although he didn’t particularly say what he meant by that, maybe he was hinting towards ‘sexual favour’ or ‘money’,” the victim woman said.
“I have voted for them, what more do they want from us,” she added.
On the other hand, several other genuine beneficiaries have accused the authorities concerned of demanding bribes from them.
“I have several times got the work order, but don’t get the money sanctioned by the government because I cannot pay a bribe to them. People who have double-storied buildings are getting houses under PMAY. But, genuine beneficiaries like us are being deprived of the housing benefits,” another woman alleged.
Another resident alleged, “In some houses, all the family members including the sons, daughters and parents get houses. But, the genuine beneficiaries are being deprived because we cannot pay bribes to the authorities concerned.”
The BJP has alleged irregularities in Awas allotment in 34 panchayats of Aul block in the district.
When contacted, Aul BDO Divyendu Das said, “We request the beneficiaries to write a complaint and narrate their ordeal so that we can take appropriate action after a probe in this regard.”