Odisha Minister Junks BJD’s ‘Mo Ghara’ Scheme, Says PMAY Aid To Be Hiked

Bhubaneswar: Financial assistance under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) will be increased to Rs 1.80 lakh from Rs 1.20 lakh, Odisha Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Department Minister Rabi Narayan Naik informed on Monday.

“It would exclude Rs 20,000 wage costs under MGNREGA. A guideline in this regard will be released soon,” he said.

The minister also slammed ‘Mo Ghara Yojana’ of the previous BJD government, calling it a mere poll plank. “Neither have people got houses under this scheme nor are there any guidelines for the same. Under this scheme, people have to take a loan of Rs 3 lakh but there are no specific guidelines on repayment of the same. People are also reluctant to take the loan,” he said.

Naik further said the department is also considering to increase the amount for construction of latrine at the model house from Rs 12,000 to Rs 20,000. “Water and electricity connections will also be supplied to these houses,” he added.

MO GHARA YOJANA

The BJD government had launched Mo Ghara, a credit-linked housing scheme, in May 2023 for beneficiaries in the lower and lower middle income households of rural Odisha, coinciding with the completion of fourth year in fifth term of  Naveen Patnaik. It was to cover all families who were left out in the existing housing schemes either due to stringent eligibility criteria or insufficient allocation, and those who had received housing assistance of smaller amount in the past and now want to upgrade or expand their houses.

Under the scheme, a beneficiary could avail housing loan up to Rs 3 lakh and repay the same in ten years through instalments, excluding one year moratorium period.