Construction of over 43 lakh pucca houses completed for poor families in Bihar

According to a report by The Hindu, a major achievement has been reached in the goal of providing pucca houses to poor families in the state of Bihar. Under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Gramin), the construction of pucca houses for a total of 43,14,959 poor families has been successfully completed in the state so far.

As per official figures released by the state's Rural Development Department, a total target of 49,16,649 houses was set from the financial year 2016-17 onwards. In reference to this set target, construction of pucca houses has been sanctioned for 49,09,740 beneficiaries so far.

The Bihar government has spent a total of ₹56,743.40 crore so far for this important task of providing houses equipped with basic amenities. Under this scheme, financial assistance of ₹1.20 lakh is provided to each beneficiary, which is used to provide secure shelter to homeless families.

Officials from the Rural Development Department informed that to accelerate the implementation of this scheme in the state, it has been primarily divided into two distinct phases. Under the first phase, a target was set to build 37,01,138 houses during the financial years 2016-17 to 2021-22. Against this target, the department sanctioned housing assistance for 37,00,531 beneficiaries, of which the construction of 36,63,701 houses has been completed. All three instalments were paid to the beneficiaries on time during the first phase.

Under the second phase of the scheme, a target of 12,15,511 houses has been set for the financial years 2024-25 and 2025-26. So far, housing sanctions have been granted to 12,09,209 beneficiaries. Under the second phase, 6,51,258 beneficiaries have completed the construction of their pucca houses so far.

An examination of the financial distribution details of the second phase reveals that the first instalment has been paid to 11,70,945 beneficiaries, while the second instalment has been given to 10,21,366 beneficiaries. Additionally, the third instalment has been paid to 7,13,329 beneficiaries. Thus, considering the 36,63,701 houses from the first phase and 6,51,258 houses from the second phase, the construction of a total of 43,14,959 houses has been completed.

Expressing happiness regarding this, Shravan Kumar, Minister for Rural Development and Information & Public Relations of the state, stated that the government is fully committed to delivering the benefits of development to the most deprived and vulnerable sections of rural areas. He added that through the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Gramin), poor families are not only getting housing but also getting the opportunity to live a life of dignity.

Minister Shravan Kumar further stated that the department is ensuring the construction of sanctioned houses with complete transparency and efficiency. To ensure that no obstacles arise in the construction process, all instalments are paid directly into the bank accounts of the beneficiaries on time, so that no difficulties are faced in the house construction process. The Minister also clarified that the ongoing construction work will also be accelerated to achieve the set target completely.

Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Gramin) was a flagship scheme of the Union Ministry of Rural Development. The main objective of this scheme was to provide pucca houses with basic amenities to all homeless families and those living in kutcha or dilapidated houses.