Odisha Govt’s New Year Gift: Permanent Homes for Over 10 Lakh Poor Families

Odisha’s Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Minister Rabi Narayan Naik on Friday announced a significant expansion of rural housing in the state, stating that permanent (pucca) houses will be constructed for more than 10 lakh people in 2026.

Speaking in the state capital, the Minister said the allotment of houses will begin in January through the Panchayati Raj Department and will be implemented under the Antodaya Ghar Yojana and the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY). Emphasising the government’s commitment to inclusive development, Naik said the initiative aims to ensure dignified housing for underprivileged and landless families.

“The government is fully committed to providing pucca houses to the poor and landless. Every eligible beneficiary will be covered under these schemes,” the Minister said.

Naik revealed that around 37 lakh applications have been received under PMAY, against which the state has set a target to provide housing to 22 lakh people. The Antodaya Ghar Yojana, he added, will cater to those who were left out or missed the PMAY application deadline.

To help beneficiaries upgrade their homes from kutcha to pucca structures, the government will provide financial assistance of ₹1.20 lakh to each of the 10 lakh beneficiaries. The move reflects the state government’s focus on supporting economically weaker sections while striving to ensure housing for every family in Odisha.

The announcement is expected to bring substantial relief to rural households and significantly improve living conditions across the state, reinforcing Odisha’s broader agenda of inclusive and equitable development.