𝑹𝒖𝒓𝒂𝒍 𝑯𝒐𝒖𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈: Login, Types, Benefits, Scheme, & Eligibility

Physiological needs are the fundamental human rights of the people. A proper bed to sleep in, food and clothing from the absolute basic requirement for any human being to live. Odisha’s rural housing scheme is an initiative of the government to replace kutcha houses with pucca houses and provide pucca houses to the homeless in the rural areas of the state. The Panchayat Raj and Drinking Water Department introduced a series of schemes for the improvement of the standard of living of the rural population of Odisha. The Biju Pucca Ghar Yojana was introduced by the state government of Odisha headed by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in 2014-15. 

This article focuses on the what, when, where, how and why of rural housing in Odisha. 

Objectives of Rural Housing in Odisha

The objective of rural housing in Odisha is to improve the quality of life of the residents of the state. Almost 17% of Odisha’s population lives in rural areas. These areas lack infrastructure, healthcare and sanitation facilities, job opportunities and educational institutions. Since education, healthcare and infrastructural development together form the backbone of the country, making basic rights available like a pucca house is imperative. The state government is actively involved in the construction of pucca houses which last for more than 30 years for its citizens. 

Scheme of Rural Housing in Odisha

The government of India and the Odisha government has introduced some schemes to overcome the problem of poor living conditions among the lower-income group. Some of these schemes are mentioned below. 

Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana (Grameen)

The Pradhan Mantri Grameen Awaas Yojana, previously called the Indira Awaas Yojana, is an initiative of the Central Government of India, to make affordable housing available to the urban poor. The initiative is led by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation. The houses constructed through the PMAY are supposed to be technologically sustainable. According to the SECC-2011 Survey, poor households without a home and those who live in fewer than two kutcha rooms are eligible to receive housing assistance to build a minimum of 25 square metres of a home. In IAP districts, housing assistance is worth Rs. 1.3 lakh, while in non-IAP districts, it is worth Rs. 1.2 lakh. Moreover, the recipient receives a Labor Component of 90 or 95 days (IAP-95, Non-IAP-90), as well as Rs. 12,000 for the construction of a toilet, through confluence with MGNREGS.

Biju Pucca Ghar Yojana

The government of Odisha introduced its version of the PM Awaas Yojana, called the Biju Pucca Ghar Yojana. This scheme was launched in 2014-15 as a replacement for the MO-KUDIA Yojana, with the aim of converting kutcha houses to pucca houses. 

The Yojana has two aspects- 

• Biju Pucca Ghar Yojana (Normal)

The Panchayat Raj and Drinking Water Department monitor the incentive programs for beneficiaries and other stakeholders. The BPGY (N) covers financing incentives for  CBOs and NGOs, beneficiaries, Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana and other rural housing schemes for completion of construction before the allotted time, for providing housing literacy to the beneficiaries, and training officials to name a few. 

• Biju Pucca Ghar Yojana (Special)

BPGY (S) focuses on the rehabilitation of people whose houses have been destroyed due to natural or manmade calamities like earthquakes, floods, elephant attacks, law and order disruption, LWE attacks, fire and cyclones. Relocation of people due to the government’s development projects. Protection of Scheduled Tribes and other beneficiaries covered under the Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006.

Pucca Ghar Yojana for Mining Communities

Odisha Mineral Bearing Areas Development Corporation (OMBADC) and the Panchayat Raj and Drinking Water worked together to provide housing for residents who had a grave impact due to mining activities in Angul, Dhenkanal, Jajpur, Jharsuguda, Koraput, Mayurbhanj, Sundargarh and Keonjhar. The program delivered housing to over 681 mining-affected villages. 

Nirman Shramik Pucca Ghar Yojana

This scheme was introduced to provide housing to construction workers who have registered under Odisha building and construction workers’ welfare boards. Under the Nirman Shramik Pucca Ghar Yojana, Odisha Building and Construction Workers’ Welfare Boards are responsible for financing while the Panchayat Raj and Drinking Water Department are to execute this mission. 

Features of Rural Housing in Odisha

The key features of rural housing in Odisha are given below. 

• Rural housing schemes have been developed to improve the living conditions of the lower income strata of Odisha living in kutcha houses through the construction of pucca houses.
• The permanent house should be registered in the name of the female head of the household. 
• The required floor area should be 25 square metres. 
• Under the Biju Pucca Ghar Scheme, there should be no private contractor involved in the construction of houses. 
• The roofing material of the house should meet RCC standards. 
• The funds should be transferred through direct account transfer, RGTS, NEFT and other electronic means of fund transfer to the beneficiary. 
• SECC 2011 survey is being used to scout the number of kutcha houses to be transformed into pucca houses in the state. 

Eligibility of Rural Housing in Odisha

The eligibility criteria for rural housing in Odisha are given below. 

• The applicant should have a domicile in Odisha. 
• The applicant should come from lower income strata. 
• The candidate should be residing in a kutcha house.
• The applicant should not possess a pucca house at the time of application. 

Documents of Rural Housing in Odisha

The list of documents required for the application of any rural housing scheme in Odisha is given below. 

• Proof of Address
• Adhaar Card
• BPL Certificate 
• EWS Certificate 
• Bonafide Certificate 
• Residence Certificate 
• Voter ID
• Passport size photograph

What Is the Rural Housing Application Process in Odisha?

To apply for rural housing in Odisha, go through the following steps. 

• Go to https://rhodisha[dot]gov[dot]in/ to download the application form. 
• Download and fill in the application. 
• Add the required documents along with the application. 
• Click ‘Submit’.

Timelines of Rural Housing in Odisha

The beneficiaries are required to complete the construction of the house within 12 months of receiving the first instalment of funds. If the beneficiary wishes to expand the construction, they first need to complete the required 25 square metres of the home. 

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The Selection Process of Rural Housing in Odisha

The selection process for rural housing in Odisha is given below. 

• A committee is formed at the district level which decides which applicants will be selected for the concerned scheme. 
• A list of people who require housing assistance is sent to the District Collector and then to the Block Development Officer. 
• However, if the district committee doesn’t give a proper list of names, the DC has the right to approve the existing list and notify the same to BDO. 
• The compiled list is then sent to the block headquarters and panchayats. 
• The list is then uploaded to the District Rural Development Agency website and the rural housing in Odisha website. 

Cost of Rural Housing in Odisha

Under the Biju Pucca Ghar Yojana, the cost of units varies between the Integrated Action Plan (IAP) districts and non-IAP districts. In the BPGY (special) component, the cost of a unit in a non-IAP district costs ₹1,20,000 and the cost of a unit costs ₹1,30,000 in an IAP district. The Panchayat Raj and Drinking Water Department can change the amount at any given time. The State Government of Odisha is responsible for the payment in four instalments. 

Financial Management of Rural Housing in Odisha

The financial management of rural housing is overseen by DDO Panchayat Raj and Drinking Water Department. The government uses electronic money transfer methods to send the instalments to the recipient’s bank account. The repayment of the loan and interest received are considered as the scheme’s budget. The DRDA, controlled commercial banks and block level of the public bank have separate accounts to receive the interest and loan repayments. These accounts are monitored by the Auditor General of Odisha or the Indian Comptroller or Auditor General. 

Rural Housing in Odisha Contact Number

If you have any questions regarding rural housing in Odisha, you can contact the toll-free number 155-237.

FAQ’s about Rural Housing