Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government on Thursday announced that it will distribute work orders for 50,000 Antyodaya houses on September 17, coinciding with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday.
Panchayati Raj Minister Rabi Narayan Naik said the work orders would be distributed among eligible people across the state under the Antyodaya Gruha Yojana, which aims to provide shelter to economically weaker sections.
Stating that the state government has already included more than one lakh beneficiaries under the scheme, he said the formal work orders for these houses will be distributed as part of the birthday celebration for the Prime Minister.
The Minister stressed that the initiative will help eligible families secure pucca houses, addressing long-standing housing challenges in rural Odisha. Priority will be given to differently-abled individuals, leprosy patients, and extremely poor households.
This apart, work orders under the PM Awas Yojana are scheduled to be issued in November. According to official data, nearly 35 lakh people applied during the recent new PM Awas Survey conducted in Odisha. The government is likely to complete all verification and eligibility processes before starting the final order distribution by November.
While the process will officially begin in November, houses will continue to be allotted in successive phases to ensure wide and inclusive coverage.
The Odisha government has launched the initiative to provide dignified housing to all eligible rural families and improve their living conditions through Central and State collaboration. The 50,000 beneficiaries include differently-abled, widows, and people suffering from various ailments. In addition to these groups, families of martyrs and recipients of the Padma Shri award will also benefit from this scheme.