Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday distributed financial assistance of Rs 3,000 to each beneficiary under Biju Pucca Ghar Yojana (BPGY) towards repair of the houses.
As many as 31 lakh families will benefit from the total assistance of Rs 1,444 crore. The money will be credited to the bank accounts of the beneficiaries. The state Cabinet had taken the decision regarding the assistance at its meeting on December 21 last year.
Distributing the assistance through video-conference, the chief minister said the state government is committed to its pledge taken in 2014 to convert all Kutcha houses to concrete ones. The government has provided 31 lakh pucca houses since then and the efforts will continue till all Kutcha houses are turned into pucca houses, he added.
Speaking on the Centre’s negligence towards housing problems in rural areas of the state, Naveen said though houses in 14 districts were damaged in cyclone Fani in 2019, the affected people are yet to get any assistance under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana till date.
Stating that the state government will provide financial assistance of Rs 5,000 to those affected people from BPGY for repair of their houses, the chief minister requested them to submit their details to the government authorities.
Minister of Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Pratap Jena also spoke on the occasion. Chief secretary Suresh Chandra Mahapatra, development commissioner PK Jena, secretary, Panchayati Raj department Ashok Meena, senior officials and district collectors were present. Secretary to CM (5T) VK Pandian coordinated the programme.