Baripada: The Centre on Sunday raised questions over the efficiency of the Odisha government in building houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) and claimed that the State government has managed to build only 50% houses in 3 years despite complete allocation of funds for the same.
The Union Rural Development Ministry, in a letter to the Odisha government, directed to complete the rest of the work by December 2018.
However, the State government refuted the allegations.
“There could be some error in the Centre’s report. We have been ranked 1st in making houses; so, how can they say that we are not constructing houses,” said Odisha Agriculture Minister Pradeep Maharathy.
While the State government claims that in 4 years, 18.75 lakh houses have been built, including 15.92 lakh houses under Indira Awas and PMAY, the numbers shown in the letter of the Joint Secretary of Ministry of Rural Development is far different.
“Your State has to complete 4.96 lakh houses in the remaining 6 months till December, 2018, which means completion of 82,661 PMAY-G houses per month i.e 2,755 PMAY-G houses per day till December 2018,” the letter mentions.
The Joint Secretary has also mentioned about delay in disbursal of funds to beneficiaries by the State government.
Meanwhile, BJP State General Secretary Prithviraj Harichandan accused the State government of cheating the poor.
“The BJD government is only spreading lies and cheating the poor. It is trying very hard to belittle the image of PM Modi,” said Harichandan.
Amidst the political blame game, villagers are suffering in several places in the State like Baripada and Bhadrak.
“I received only Rs 20, 000 in the beginning. They are not disbursing any more funds and making me to run from pillar to post,” said a resident of Kherang village in Bhadrak, Haguri Majhi.
“I am staying in a dilapidated house. The government is only giving us false assurance in the name of providing house,” rued Labhara Hembram of Shankhabhanga village in Baripada of Mayurbhanj district.