THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BALANGIR, NOVEMBER 14, 2026

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Satuday reiterated that providing every family with a pucca house remains the state government's top priority, asserting that secure housing is the foundation of a developed and prosperous society.

Addressing a major rural housing programme at the sacred Maa Pataneswari Peeth in Balangir, Majhi inaugurated the distribution of houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G) and unveiled 248 development projects worth around Rs 911 crore for the district.

Emphasising the importance of dignified housing, the Chief Minister said a pucca house is not merely a structure made of bricks and cement but a symbol of security, dignity and hope for families who have long lived in kutcha houses.

He said Odisha has constructed more than 41 lakh rural houses since the 2014-15 financial year, including 5.66 lakh houses in the last two years. Of the 28.06 lakh houses sanctioned under PMAY-G for the state, 25.58 lakh have already been completed, he added.

The houses are being equipped with essential amenities such as toilets, piped drinking water, cooking gas and electricity to ensure improved living standards for rural households.

The Chief Minister further said that following a recent survey, an additional one lakh houses had been approved, taking the state's total sanctioned housing quota under the scheme to five lakh, according to the figures shared at the programme.

Union Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who attended the event, announced that Balangir would be the starting point for a newly introduced poverty alleviation pilot project in the country.

Highlighting the Centre's poverty reduction initiatives, Chouhan said nearly 50 crore people had moved out of extreme poverty across the country over the past 12 years. He also appreciated Odisha's achievement in creating 29 lakh Lakhpati Didis and expressed confidence that the proposed agricultural university in Balangir would develop into a premier institution.

Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo called for integrating rural housing with the PM-Surya Ghar scheme to encourage rooftop solar installations. He also highlighted the potential of agri-tourism in strengthening rural livelihoods and creating additional income opportunities.

Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Minister Rabi Narayan Naik said the government was encouraging beneficiaries to complete their houses within stipulated timelines through financial incentives. Under the initiative, beneficiaries completing houses within five months receive Rs 35,000, while those completing them within seven months are entitled to Rs 20,000. More than 11.35 lakh beneficiaries have reportedly benefited from the incentives.

Health Minister Dr Mukesh Mahaling said Balangir was rapidly emerging as an important medical hub, with healthcare infrastructure being expanded to improve access to quality medical services in the district and adjoining areas.

As part of the development package, the Chief Minister inaugurated 160 projects worth Rs 176 crore and laid foundation stones for another 88 projects estimated at Rs 735 crore. The projects span several key sectors, including healthcare, irrigation, rural road connectivity and educational infrastructure.

The programme was attended by Balangir MP Sangeeta Singh Deo, Kantabanji MLA Laxman Bag, Titilagarh MLA Naveen Kumar Jain, Panchayati Raj Commissioner-cum-Secretary Rupa Mishra, Balangir Collector Gaurav Shivaji Ishwar and other public representatives, officials and local people.