Another Odisha BDO ‘withholds govt benefits’ of defaulter Awas yojana beneficiaries

Fresh allegations surfaced on Wednesday in Bolangir district, accusing one more block development officer (BDO) of acting arbitrarily by stopping allowances and ration supplies of beneficiaries who have not completed their housing construction work under the government Awas Yojana, despite receiving financial assistance.

Also Read: Bolangir BDO accused of ‘withholding social benefits’ of PMAY beneficiaries for incomplete houses

After similar complaints from Agalpur block around five days ago, Patnagarh block has now reported the same issue.

It is alleged that the Patnagarh BDO Suman Kumar Minj has recently issued departmental letters directing the stoppage of monthly allowances and ration supplies of beneficiaries whose Biju Pucca Ghar houses remain incomplete.

As per reports, a notice has been served to Uttara Bariha of Saramuhan village under Ulaba panchayat in the district.

According to the notice, the beneficiary had received three instalments under the housing scheme but failed to complete the construction work. Citing this reason, the notice warned that the beneficiary would be deprived of monthly allowances, rations and other government assistance.

Sources further claimed that following the notice, the beneficiary’s ration supply has already been stopped. This has triggered widespread dissatisfaction among the locals, who have questioned the authority under which such punitive action has been taken.

Residents have raised serious concerns over whether any existing rule permits officials to cut essential welfare benefits as a penalty for incomplete housing work, calling for clarity and accountability from the administration.

“Assistance under an Awas yojana was previously sanctioned in my mother’s name. After receiving three instalments, the house construction was completed up to the lintel level. As the construction could not proceed further, she has been served a notice in this regard. We have also been deprived of ration and other benefits,” woman beneficiary Uttara’s son, Suresh Bariha, said to OTV when contacted.