Bhubaneswar: In a major progress in providing housing security to the needy, the Odisha government has disbursed the first instalment of assistance under the Antyodaya Gruha Yojana (AGJ) to 57,308 beneficiaries across the state.
The flagship initiative, led by the Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Department, aims to provide stable housing to marginalised and vulnerable families in rural areas of the state.
Officials said the financial aid was transferred directly to the beneficiaries’ bank accounts via the dedicated AGJ portal, which has been credited for streamlining disbursal and ensuring transparency.
Besides the first phase disbursements, altogether 1,368 beneficiaries have successfully moved into the second instalment after verification of progress in construction.
The state government highlighted the importance of field-level monitoring and the use of the Aadhaar-based Payment System (ABPS), which has significantly reduced errors and accelerated fund distribution.
Billed as an inclusive housing scheme, the scheme extends support to vulnerable households, including the homeless, those living in kutcha houses, persons with disabilities, widows with minor children, families affected by natural or man-made disasters, those impacted by elephant attacks, displaced families due to development projects in reserved areas, and individuals recovering from serious health conditions. Beneficiaries also include families of martyrs, freed bonded laborers, leprosy survivors, and recognized sportspersons.
The government reaffirmed its commitment to the timely and efficient implementation of the scheme. With the portal now fully operational, authorities expect the pace of housing approvals and fund releases to accelerate in the coming weeks.
