Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Saturday announced five lakh pucca houses for poor families in Odisha under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana–Gramin (PMAY-G), reaffirming the government’s commitment to ensuring that no eligible family is left without a permanent home.
Making the announcement at a state-level PMAY-G programme in Balangir, in the presence of Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Chouhan said a fresh and comprehensive survey had been completed to identify eligible beneficiaries. All poor families living in kutcha houses would be provided pucca houses in a phased manner.
The programme also witnessed the foundation stone laying for a new agriculture college in Balangir. Deputy Chief Minister and Agriculture Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Minister Ravi Narayan Nayak, Health and Family Welfare Minister Mukesh Mahaling, MP Sangeeta Kumari Singh Deo and local legislators were among those present.
Solar-powered homes to reduce electricity bills
Chouhan announced that the Centre and the Odisha Government would jointly provide subsidies for installing solar panels on houses constructed under the scheme. The initiative is expected to help beneficiaries substantially reduce their electricity bills, potentially bringing them down to zero, while enabling households to earn additional income by selling surplus electricity.
He said the initiative would help rural families benefit from renewable energy while improving their economic conditions.
29 lakh women achieve Lakhpati Didi status
Highlighting women’s empowerment, the Minister said 29 lakh women in Odisha had become Lakhpati Didis, exceeding the state’s target of 27 lakh a year ahead of schedule under the leadership of CM Majhi.
He also appreciated the Subhadra Yojana, under which women receive ₹10,000 annually, saying the initiative had strengthened their confidence and enhanced their dignity.
Chouhan announced that loans worth ₹10 lakh crore would be extended through banks to women across the country over the next five years to support entrepreneurship and help more women achieve Lakhpati Didi status.
He added that access to institutional credit would not remain restricted to members of self-help groups. Women wishing to start individual businesses or livelihood activities would also be able to obtain loans without the requirement of a guarantee.
Balangir agriculture college to be developed as a leading institution
Chouhan said the proposed agriculture college in Balangir would be developed into one of the country’s leading agricultural institutions with the support of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the Government of India.
He said leading agricultural scientists from across the country would work with farmers and help address their needs. A comprehensive roadmap was also being prepared in coordination with the Odisha Government to modernise agriculture and strengthen the state’s farming sector.
Highlighting the potential of renewable energy in agriculture, the Minister outlined a proposed initiative to install solar panels above agricultural fields, allowing farmers to cultivate fruits and vegetables underneath them. The arrangement would enable farmers to earn from both agricultural production and solar power generation.
He also said that the names of eligible farmers who had previously been left out of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme had now been added to the beneficiary list.
Every panchayat to receive up to ₹2 crore for development
Outlining the Centre’s rural development plans for Odisha, Chouhan said the state would receive approximately ₹4,000 crore this year under the Viksit Bharat–G RAM G scheme. The allocation would provide every panchayat with ₹25 lakh to ₹50 lakh annually.
Over five years, smaller panchayats would receive up to ₹1 crore, while larger panchayats could receive up to ₹2 crore for development works.
The funds could be utilised for constructing roads, drainage systems, schools and panchayat buildings, improving connectivity to agricultural fields and developing ponds for water conservation.
The Minister also said that 1,700 kilometres of roads had been approved under the fourth phase of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana. The initiative would help ensure that all remaining villages in the state were connected through pucca roads.
Focus on building a developed Odisha
Paying tribute to Balangir’s cultural heritage, including its Nuakhai festival and traditional Dalkhai and Rasarkeli dances, Chouhan called upon people to work collectively towards building a developed Odisha.
Addressing the gathering, he described himself as a public servant rather than a distinguished guest, emphasising his commitment to serving farmers and rural communities. He also invoked the cultural and spiritual significance of Lord Jagannath and Subhadra Maiya while acknowledging the contribution of the people and women of Odisha.
Praising CM Majhi for his dedication and approachability, Chouhan said the state government was working towards realising the vision of Viksit Odisha in alignment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s goal of Viksit Bharat.
The announcements on rural housing, women’s entrepreneurship, agricultural education, renewable energy and panchayat development form part of a broader effort to strengthen rural infrastructure, improve livelihoods and accelerate development across Odisha.
(PIB)
