Odisha Government Raises Income Limit Under Basundhara Scheme, 7.16 Lakh Houses to Be Distributed

In a major relief for landless and homeless families, the Odisha government has increased the annual family income eligibility limit under the Basundhara scheme from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 1.5 lakh. The decision is expected to benefit a larger number of economically weaker families by making them eligible for government homestead land.

Under the earlier guidelines, families with an annual income of less than Rs 1 lakh were eligible to receive homestead land under the scheme. However, the state government has now relaxed the criteria and raised the income ceiling to Rs 1.5 lakh per year.

The revised eligibility criteria will benefit several low-income households, including Anganwadi workers and ASHA workers. Earlier, the government had also relaxed the eligibility conditions to include families possessing less than four decimals of homestead land.

7.16 Lakh Houses to Be Distributed on Friday

Meanwhile, the Odisha government is set to launch a major housing distribution programme from Balangir on Friday. Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan is scheduled to visit Odisha to attend the state-level programme in the presence of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.

During the event, pucca houses will be distributed among eligible beneficiaries under various rural housing schemes. In the first phase, the government will distribute around 7.16 lakh houses, bringing relief to thousands of homeless and economically weaker families.

According to the available figures, 4.25 lakh houses have been sanctioned under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) by the Central Government.

Houses to Be Distributed Under Antyodaya Scheme

Apart from PMAY, the government will also distribute 2,91,666 houses under the Antyodaya scheme. Combining both allocations, around 7.16 lakh beneficiaries are expected to receive housing benefits in this phase.

Earlier, the state government had allocated 1.5 lakh houses under the Antyodaya scheme.

The state-level programme will be organised in Balangir, while arrangements have been made for its live telecast at all district and block headquarters across Odisha. District Collectors have been instructed to ensure proper arrangements for the simultaneous broadcast.

37 Lakh People Registered for Housing Benefits

Since the formation of the new government, around 37 lakh people have registered online for housing assistance over the past one-and-a-half years.

The government has been focusing on fulfilling its election commitments through various welfare initiatives, including input subsidies for farmers, the Subhadra scheme for women and enhanced social security support for senior citizens.

With the expansion of eligibility under the Basundhara scheme and the upcoming distribution of houses, the state government is seeking to extend land and housing benefits to a larger section of economically disadvantaged families.

The latest decisions are being seen as another major step by the BJP-led double-engine government towards fulfilling its promises of providing land and pucca houses to eligible beneficiaries.