Koraput, 27th Sept 2025: The implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) in Koraput district has been sluggish, with 16,600 houses still incomplete over a span of 7 years. Despite having received work orders, many beneficiaries have failed to complete house construction within the stipulated time.
Previously, houses were provided under the Indira Awas Yojana. Since the 2016-17 financial year, PMAY has been supplying homes to poor beneficiaries. Earlier, the housing grant was ₹1.30 lakh, but now, beneficiaries are receiving around ₹1.20 lakh. In addition, about ₹22,000 is provided for 95 days of labor under MGNREGA. If a house is completed within 4 months, an incentive of ₹20,000 is awarded; if completed within 6 months, ₹10,000 is given.
Despite these provisions, many tribal beneficiaries in Koraput district are facing difficulties in completing their houses.
From 2016–17 to 2024–25, a total of 99,417 work orders have been issued under PMAY in Koraput. Among them, 16,600 houses remain incomplete. This data was presented to the Governor during a review meeting.
Among the incomplete houses, the highest numbers are reported in the following blocks:
Laxmipur – 2,068 houses
Jaipore – 1,998
Bandhugaon – 1,929
Baipariguda – 985
Borigumma – 985
Dashmantpur – 938
Koraput – 292
Kotpad – 1,007
Kundura – 1,148
Lamtaput – 1,178
Nandapur – 1,467
Narayanpatna – 1,695
Pottangi – 367
Semiliguda – 576 houses
An officer from Narayanpatna block shared that in hilly areas, transporting materials like sand, iron, bricks, and cement is more expensive. As a result, some beneficiaries did not start construction even after receiving the work order. Others began construction but abandoned it halfway, due to which they did not receive further installments of the grant.
A local staff member mentioned that the funds provided are insufficient, putting additional pressure on the field workers. These issues are particularly prevalent in the blocks of Bandhugaon, Narayanpatna, Laxmipur, Nandapur, Kundura, and Lamtaput.
There is now a demand for the government and administration to take immediate action and address the problem.