Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has confirmed that the house construction assistance amount under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Gramin (PMAY-G) and the Antyodaya Gruha Yojana will remain at Rs 1.2 lakh from the financial year 2024-25 onwards.
This decision was announced by Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Minister Rabi Narayan Naik in the state assembly on Tuesday.
In a written reply to a question from Daspalla (SC) MLA Ramesh Chandra Behera, Minister Naik elaborated on the ongoing housing schemes aimed at economically weaker sections in rural areas. He stated that for the construction of a minimum 25-square-meter pucca house, the construction assistance amount is Rs 1.2 lakh. From the financial year 2016-17 to 2023-24, beneficiaries in Integrated Action Plan (IAP) districts received Rs 1.3 lakh for house construction, while those in non-IAP districts were given Rs 1.2 lakh. However, from 2024-25 onwards, the assistance amount has been standardized to Rs 1.2 lakh statewide.
In addition to the financial aid, beneficiaries under these schemes also receive daily wages through the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). The Minister highlighted that workers in IAP districts are eligible for wages for up to 95 days, while those in non-IAP districts can claim wages for 90 days. Support for toilet construction and incentives of Rs 20,000 and Rs 10,000 are also provided upon timely completion of the house within four and six months, respectively.
Minister Naik clarified that there is currently no proposal from the government to increase the housing assistance amount under the Rural Housing Construction Scheme.
