85% PMAY Beneficiaries In Odisha Are Bogus: BJP

Bhubaneswar: BJP in a press conference today levelled serious charges of corruption in implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) in Odisha.

BJP spokesperson Golak Mohapatra and partly leader Sarada Pradhan alleged that there are widespread irregularities in identification of beneficiaries in the Central Government's flagship PMAY.

As per their allegations no less than 10 lakh out of the total of 12.75 Lakh PMAY beneficiaries in Odisha are ineligible.

Citing that 85% of the total beneficiaries are bogus, Sarada highlighted that 226 people were declared eligible to get houses under PMAY in Jamara panchayat under Nischintakoili block of Cuttack district even though 166 did not qualify.

He further alleged that "There are 142 bogus beneficiaries under PMAY in Jamara Panchayat alone. Multiple members of the same family have been granted houses under the scheme. Moreover, people who already own houses in cities like Bhubaneswar and Cuttack have also been selected as beneficiaries under the PMAY."

BJP also went on to allege that the number of pucca houses distributed in Daudapur under Nischintakoili block of Cuttack district exceeds the actual number of residents. Surprisingly, more houses have been promised to the residents.

Replying to these allegations of BJP, Housing and Urban Development minister, Pratap Jena said, "Only allegations won't work. BJP should produce proof, if they have any. I have made it clear before that strict action will be taken against officials involved in any kind of corruption."