Bhubaneswar: After builders were found misusing the 'Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana' (PMAY) across the country, instances of fraud by private companies has come to the fore in Odisha.
In an exclusive report, OTV has found out that a private company named NACS Limited allegedly looted innocent people of lakhs by making false promises that it would provide them houses at affordable prices under the scheme.
As per reports, NACS has been operating in Jharsugada district for the last three months by projecting itself as an agency roped in by the district administration to execute the scheme.
From its investigation, OTV found the company cheating people as the address of its main branch office (Plot No. N/6/313-2nd Floor, Jayadev Vihar, Bhubaneswar) and the contact numbers mentioned on its website were 'fake'.
Surprisingly, OTV didn't find any such company called Blue Star Infratch being in operation in the capital city.
Besides, some middlemen have reportedly collected Rs 900 each from as many as 200 residents of Sector 6 in Rourkela. Some people alleged that the accused used to demand Rs 2000 to Rs 3000 to become a beneficiary under the central housing scheme and even give them payment receipts.
When Jharsuguda collector was contacted, he said that no private company has been roped in or hired to execute the housing scheme.
"The district administration has not given permission to any company. We will look into the allegations," said the district collector, Bibhuti Bhusan Patnaik.
"We don't have any rule to ask money from PMAY beneficiaries. We are maintaining 100 per cent transparency. The company must be a fake one. I have already ordered the department's executive officer in Jharsuguda to submit a report in this regard," said Suresh Chandra Dalei, director of urban housing mission.
It is worth mentioning PMAY aims at providing affordable housing to people in urban areas. people have to apply for home under the scheme at their respective NACs following which a state-level committee prepare a list and send it to the Central government. All the benefits under the scheme is directly sent to the bank accounts of the beneficiaries.