Chhattisgarh Advances Housing with PMAY Boost

The Centre has approved over 8 lakh houses under the PMAY in rural Chhattisgarh, as confirmed by Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai. The BJP government has fulfilled its housing promises, contrasting the prior Congress administration's shortcomings. Provisions for surrendered Naxalites and PVTGs are also being pursued.

The Centre has approved the construction of more than 8 lakh houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna (PMAY) in rural Chhattisgarh, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai announced on Wednesday.

Additionally, the state government, which took office nine months ago, has requested the Centre to sanction separate houses for surrendered Naxalites and those affected by Maoist violence, Sai added.

In a direct attack on the previous Congress government (2018-23), Sai alleged that its failure to implement the scheme deprived 18 lakh families of pucca (concrete) houses. He accused the Congress-led government of not releasing the state's share of funds, resulting in the non-implementation of the scheme.

Upon taking office, the newly-elected BJP government sanctioned 18 lakh houses under PMAY for rural beneficiaries as part of its electoral promises. The central government recently approved the construction of 8,46,931 houses, for which Sai expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The previous Congress administration had initiated its own housing scheme for 47,090 families, who are now integrated into the new PMAY scheme. The current government has continued to release the next instalments of funds for these beneficiaries.

Sai revealed that the state is also working towards constructing 10,000 houses for surrendered Naxalites and those affected by Maoist violence, following requests to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

Chhattisgarh has also launched 'Niyad Nellanar', a development scheme for villages near security camps, and sanctioned 24,064 houses for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups under the PM Janjati Adivasi Nyay Maha Abhiyaan (PM-JANMAN), with most nearing completion.

(With inputs from agencies.)