Bhubaneswar: After the inclusion of registration of farmers, national food security scheme, Vahan and Sarathi services of the Transport department, Odisha government has further expanded its 5T model of governance by including Mamata scheme and Water Resources department under the Mo Sarkar umbrella. Besides, housing schemes have also been included the under Mo Sarkar to ensure transparency. However, a series of corruption allegations in the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) presents an uphill challenge in the implementation of the same.
Apart from the recent allegations, more irregularities in PMAY have come to fore from Badagaon village under Gop block in Puri district. Name of Bira Mallick, who died four years ago, is in the beneficiaries list of the housing scheme. Besides, a retired government employee of Badagaon, Prasanna Paikray’s wife (Kuntala Paikray) and daughter-in-law (Chandrakanti Paikray) have also been enlisted as beneficiaries to get houses.
"The scheme is marred with corruption. Rich and influential people are getting houses. Bira Mallick, who died four years ago, has got Rs 1.2 lakh assistance as a beneficiary of the Awas Yojana. Wives, sons and daughters-in-law of government employees are getting houses while the actual beneficiaries are being left out," alleged one complainant, Biranchi.
However, Panchayati Raj Minister Pratap Jena said, “We are checking whether any official at block level or the village sarpanches are demanding money from people to allot houses. Stern action will be taken against those found guilty.”
On the other hand, KALIA scheme has also been included in the Mo Sarkar scheme. However, there are allegations that several ineligible persons have received financial assistance under the scheme. Besides, several farmers allege that they are yet to get the second instalment under the scheme.
A farmer Ajay Rout said that those who are bribing officials are only getting benefits of the government schemes. Another farmer, Parmeswar Sethi said, “What benefit will Mo Sarkar bring when we have not received what is due?”
“We will soon open a public grievance portal for the KALIA scheme. Left out people can lodge complaints in the portal following which the department can take immediate steps,” said Odisha Agriculture Minister, Arun Sahoo.