Odisha Orders Immediate Land Allocation for Over 2 Lakh Landless Housing Beneficiaries Under PMAY-G and PM-JANMAN

The Odisha government has reportedly issued a directive to all district collectors across the state, instructing them to immediately allocate house-sites to eligible landless families covered under various rural housing programmes. The order encompasses beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G) and the PM-JANMAN initiative, according to sources familiar with the development.

The urgency of this directive stems from findings of the 2024 "Awaas+" assessment, which reportedly identified over 2 lakh households across the state as landless. This survey has highlighted a significant gap in the implementation of housing welfare schemes, prompting the state administration to take immediate corrective action.

Hundreds of Sanctioned Beneficiaries Await Site Allotment

According to official sources, several districts in Odisha continue to have beneficiaries who remain without allocated sites despite having received housing sanctions. Reports indicate that approximately 871 beneficiaries under the PMAY-G housing scheme and 50 beneficiaries under PM-JANMAN are currently awaiting site allotment across multiple districts.

The state directive has emphasised that these landless households should receive their allocated sites on a priority basis. Notably, the order specifies that site allocation should proceed even before the formal construction sanction for their houses is processed, demonstrating the administration's commitment to expediting the process.

District-Level Coordination Mandated for Swift Resolution

The government has instructed district-level teams comprising collectors, block development officers, and tahsildars to conduct regular meetings aimed at resolving pending allotments. This coordinated approach is designed to ensure that no eligible family is left waiting indefinitely for their rightful entitlements under the government's affordable housing initiatives.

The move reflects Odisha's renewed commitment to extending housing benefits to vulnerable families under its long-standing land-settlement policies. The state has historically maintained various welfare programmes targeting the housing needs of economically weaker sections and tribal communities.

Vasundhara Scheme and Eligibility Criteria

Under existing government guidelines, families with extremely small or no land holdings are eligible for homestead plots through schemes such as the Vasundhara scheme. The latest directive reportedly broadens this scope, urging immediate action to ensure that sanctioned beneficiaries can finally receive physical parcels of land.

Land allocation serves as a critical prerequisite for building permanent homes under these welfare programmes. Without designated plots, beneficiaries cannot proceed with construction activities, effectively rendering their housing sanctions incomplete. The digitization of land records across India has been helping streamline such processes in recent years.

Impact on Rural Development and Housing Sector

This administrative push aligns with the central government's broader vision of providing housing for all, particularly targeting rural India's development. The PMAY-G programme has been instrumental in transforming the rural housing landscape across the country, with millions of houses sanctioned and constructed since its inception.

For beneficiaries seeking to understand their application status, various online portals enable tracking of PMAY applications through Aadhaar and other identification methods. The Odisha Real Estate Regulatory Authority (ORERA) continues to oversee real estate developments in the state, ensuring transparency and accountability in housing projects.

The PM-JANMAN initiative specifically targets particularly vulnerable tribal groups, ensuring they receive adequate housing support along with other welfare benefits. The integration of such schemes with land settlement policies demonstrates a holistic approach to addressing the housing needs of marginalised communities.

Similar affordable housing initiatives across other states have shown positive results, with Maharashtra recently achieving the milestone of delivering 30 lakh homes under PMAY. The rise of tier 2 cities in India has further accelerated the demand for organised housing solutions across the country.

Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational purposes only. Readers are advised to verify all details independently through official government sources before making any decisions. The information provided herein should not be construed as legal or financial advice. Prospective beneficiaries should consult relevant district authorities or official portals for accurate and updated information regarding housing scheme eligibility and application procedures.