Irregularities have allegedly emerged in the distribution of houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) in Bhubaneswar. Individuals, who do not qualify for the scheme, have allegedly been included on the beneficiary list by the local civic body, sources said on Wednesday.
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Fake beneficiaries of the Jaga Mission, who were earlier enlisted during the previous BJD-led government, have now found their way to grab houses under the PM Awas scheme, some locals alleged.
Despite ongoing efforts to integrate urban settlers into the ambitious housing scheme, these discrepancies have drawn significant concern among the local residents, particularly in Ward 49 (Phuleswari Basti) in the State Capital.
The Minister for Housing and Urban Development (H&UD) Krushna Chandra Mahapatra has confirmed that investigations are underway to address the alleged mismanagement of land grants, vowing to take corrective measures.
Among the controversial recipients is a woman named Sabita Sahoo, whose inclusion has provoked controversy due to her possession of 640 decimals of land in Patrapada Mouza. Such property ownership typically disqualifies individuals from benefiting under the PMAY, intended for those without land. Official records show her acquisition of this property in Patrapada on February 10, 2021, for Rs 22.4 Lakh, further intensifying the debate.
Locals have expressed dissatisfaction, claiming that the selection process under the previous government was marred by ‘favouritism based on loyalty’, exacerbated by bribery linked to land titles. These complaints have been communicated to the authorities concerned, who have promised a thorough investigation and to hold those responsible accountable.
Meanwhile, the H&UD Minister mentioned that the fact-finding committee is gathering evidence of these past discrepancies under the former government, aiming to implement prompt corrective actions once substantiated.
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“The LRCs (land registration certificates) were distributed like leaflets during the previous government. There are no official details of who has been given. We have constituted a fact-finding team and, based on its report, actions will be taken,” the Minister asserted.
Reported By: Maniklal Pani, Swati Jena
