Patna: Rural development department and IPRD minister Shrawan Kumar said 41.56 lakh pucca houses for the poor have been built in Bihar in the last 10 years, since the 2016-17 financial year.
Administrative approval was granted for a total of 4,909,806 housing units during this period, and construction work on more than 85 percent of them has been successfully completed, he added.
Sharing the background of the scheme, the minister explained that the erstwhile Indira Awas Yojana was restructured in the 2016-17 financial year to provide permanent houses equipped with basic amenities to poor families in rural areas who were forced to live in makeshift, dilapidated dwellings or without any shelter. It was renamed the ‘Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Gramin)’.
Under this scheme, financial assistance of Rs 1.20 lakh is currently provided directly by the government to each beneficiary for the construction of a permanent house, thereby turning the dream of home ownership into reality for lakhs of homeless people in the state.
Key Highlights of PMAY-G in Bihar
The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Gramin) has been instrumental in addressing the housing needs of the rural poor in Bihar. The scheme ensures that beneficiaries receive financial support directly, eliminating intermediaries. This has streamlined the process and reduced delays.
Impact on Rural Development
The construction of over 41 lakh pucca houses has significantly improved living conditions in rural areas. Families that once lived in unsafe, temporary shelters now have permanent homes with access to basic amenities. This has also boosted local employment and economic activity.
The minister emphasized the government's commitment to providing housing for all. The scheme continues to be a flagship program for poverty alleviation and rural upliftment.
