Jharsuguda: Jharsuguda district beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) are facing challenges in completing their house construction work during the rainy season.
The beneficiaries have complained of rising prices of construction materials, such as sand and bricks, as well as a shortage of laborers. They have also said that the government’s incentive amount of Rs. 20,000 is not enough to cover the costs of construction.
According to data from the District Rural Development Organisation (DRDA), a total of 11,709 beneficiaries from all five blocks in the district have received work orders for the construction of houses under the PMAY this month. Of these, 1,107 have been considered eligible for the first phase of Rs. 10,000.
The beneficiaries have said that the demand for masons has increased, and they are now demanding Rs. 100 to Rs. 150 more than before. They have also said that there is no labor available for farming as hundreds of houses are being built in every panchayat at the same time.
The price of sand has also increased due to the rain, as the sand barges are going to be closed. Sand coming from local rivers and canals was sold at Rs. 700 per 100 cubic feet, but now it has reached Rs. 1200. The sand is sold at Rs. 2,800 per 100 cubic feet, but now it has reached Rs. 2,900 in many places.
The government gives an incentive amount of Rs. 20,000 to the beneficiaries if they complete the construction of the house within four months of the PMAY. Within six months, they will receive at least Rs. 10,000. However, due to all these challenges during the rainy season, it is not possible for people to build houses within the stipulated time.
The Sarpanch union has demanded that the government extend the time limit for the incentive amount. They have said that the current time limit is not feasible and is unfair to the beneficiaries.
