Bhubaneswar, Oct 16: In a major push towards providing permanent housing to economically weaker and vulnerable families, the Odisha government has approved the construction of an additional 2,91,666 houses under the Antyodaya Gruha Yojana and extended the scheme’s implementation period by two years, till 2029.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced the decision on Thursday, stating that the move would help more eligible families secure permanent homes and accelerate the state’s goal of ensuring housing for all.
The extension, which moves the scheme’s deadline from 2027 to 2029, is expected to expand the programme’s reach and provide housing assistance to more families in need.
₹7,550 Crore Outlay to Remain Unchanged
Despite the addition of nearly 2.92 lakh houses, the total financial outlay for the Antyodaya Gruha Yojana will remain unchanged at ₹7,550 crore.
As part of the revised financial plan, the state government has decided to divert ₹3,500 crore from the housing repair component towards the construction of new houses.
The reallocation is intended to support the expanded construction target within the existing budgetary provision.
Focus on Families Left Out of Other Housing Schemes
The Antyodaya Gruha Yojana primarily targets poor and vulnerable households that need permanent housing but have not qualified for assistance under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY).
The state government had initially set a target of providing houses to five lakh families under the scheme. With the approval of an additional 2,91,666 houses and the extension of the implementation period, the programme is expected to cover more eligible beneficiaries.
The initiative forms part of the state’s broader efforts to address housing shortages among disadvantaged households and improve their living conditions.
Higher Incentives for Timely House Construction
Alongside the expansion of the scheme, the government has revised the financial incentives available to beneficiaries who complete their houses within the stipulated timeframe.
Under the revised structure, beneficiaries completing construction within five months will receive an incentive of ₹35,000, compared with the earlier incentive of ₹20,000 for completion within four months.
Similarly, those completing their houses within seven months will now be eligible for an incentive of ₹20,000, up from the earlier ₹10,000 offered for completion within six months.
The revised incentives are intended to encourage faster construction while providing beneficiaries with a more flexible completion period.
Push Towards Housing for All
The expansion of the Antyodaya Gruha Yojana marks a significant step in Odisha’s efforts to improve access to permanent housing for economically disadvantaged families.
With the extended deadline, additional housing approvals and revised beneficiary incentives, the state government aims to accelerate construction and bring more vulnerable households under the scheme.
The success of the expanded programme will depend on the timely implementation of approved projects and the effective delivery of assistance to eligible beneficiaries across Odisha.
