Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday announced that Rs 3,000 would be given to beneficiaries to repair the houses allotted to them under Biju Pucca Ghar Yojana and other rural housing schemes of the state government.

Naveen also announced that those who have been deprived of the opportunity to get houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) would get Rs 5000 to carry out repairs of the houses.

This announcement comes even as the state gears up for the panchayat polls. The State Election Commission is likely to announce the date for the polls soon.

After the cabinet meeting, addressing the people of the state, Naveen said: “We had decided to convert all the kaccha houses into pucca houses in 2014. Odisha is one of the leading states in constructing houses in rural areas. So far, Rs 22,000 crore has been spent to this effect.”

Naveen said to provide pucca houses to the people, the state government has made schemes like Biju Pucca Ghar, Nirman Shramik Pucca Ghar (house for construction labourers), and Pucca Ghar Yojana in the mining area. Besides, the state government is bearing half of the expenses under the central housing scheme.

“There are many eligible beneficiaries who are still waiting to get houses under the central houses scheme. The tribal areas and people of western Odisha have been most affected. I have already brought it to the notice of the Centre several times.” Naveen said.

Stating the people are passing through tough times because of Covid-19, the chief minister said: “Those people who have got houses under Biju Pucca Ghar, Nirman Shramik Pucca Ghar Yojana and Pucca Ghar (mining areas) would get Rs 3,000 to repair their houses. Those who have been deprived of availing the houses under the Central rural housing scheme Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Grameen)-would be given Rs 5,000 to repair their houses. Nearly 30 lakh people would benefit from the announcement. Around Rs 1,444 crore will be spent in this regard. All the money will be credited to the bank accounts of the beneficiaries directly.”

However, the announcement has not gone down well with the Opposition and it accused the government of trying to influence the voters ahead of the panchayat polls.

“This is an election gimmick by the Odisha government. Who had prevented the state government from including the name of the beneficiaries in the Central rural housing schemes? The election is about to be announced at any moment and the announcement was made to win the election,” said BJP spokesperson Golak Mohapatra.