The Odisha Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, has approved the allocation of 225,000 pucca houses for weaker sections under the Antyodaya Gruha Yojana over the next three years, with a budget outlay of Rs 75.5 billion. 

Under the scheme, eligible families who have not benefited from existing housing programs will receive Rs 120,000 million in financial assistance to construct a 25-square-meter pucca house. The government has clarified that asbestos, tin, and tile-roofed structures will not be considered pucca houses, while cement-roofed homes with concrete walls will qualify. 

The scheme defines a family as a husband, wife, dependent parents, and children, ensuring newly formed families can also benefit. Priority will be given to families affected by natural disasters, displaced due to government projects, families with disabled earners, and beneficiaries under the Forest Rights Act. 

To encourage timely construction, beneficiaries under Antyodaya Gruha Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Gramin), and other rural housing schemes will receive incentives of Rs 20,000 and Rs 10,000 for completing their homes within four and six months of receiving the first installment, respectively, as per a statement from the Chief Minister’s Office. 

(pragativadi)