PMAY Controversy: BJD Alleges Centre Betrayed Lakhs of Odisha Beneficiaries
Bhubaneswar: A fresh political controversy has erupted in Odisha over the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), with the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) accusing the BJP-led Central Government of neglecting eligible housing beneficiaries in the state.
Senior BJD leader Debi Prasad Mishra alleged that the Centre has failed to provide adequate housing allocations to Odisha despite a significantly large number of eligible beneficiaries.
He criticised recent statements made by Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, claiming they were politically motivated ahead of the upcoming Panchayat elections.
According to Mishra, Odisha identified nearly 28.28 lakh eligible PMAY beneficiaries, but only 5 lakh houses have been sanctioned by the Centre.
He argued that during the tenure of former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, more than 28 lakh houses were constructed through a joint funding mechanism between the Centre and the State Government.
The BJD leader further alleged discrimination in PMAY allocations by comparing Odisha’s figures with those of Andhra Pradesh.
He claimed that Andhra Pradesh received a substantially higher allocation relative to its identified beneficiaries, while Odisha’s housing demand remained largely unmet.
Mishra also highlighted allocation figures cited in a parliamentary reply, asserting that Odisha received significantly lower budgetary support compared to several other states.
He accused the present state government of rebranding welfare housing schemes and raised concerns over beneficiary selection processes.
Demanding greater transparency, the BJD urged the Centre to approve houses for all eligible beneficiaries in Odisha and release comprehensive beneficiary lists.
The issue is expected to become a major political talking point as the state moves closer to local body elections.
