JAGATSINGHPUR: The Central Government’s ambitious scheme-Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) has come under the scanner in Jagatsinghpur district. Sources said that the scheme, meant to provide affordable housing to the poor, is being misused for building shops for commercial purposes. Hundreds of beneficiaries have submitted fake documents for availing financial assistance under the scheme even as the plots allotted for construction of houses are lying vacant across the district.
Take the example of Hemant Kumar Pallei, a resident of Ornal under Erasama block who received `1.20 lakh for construction of a house under PMAY. Based on documents submitted by him, he was given work order for constructing a house in Ornal village but he used the funds for setting up of a shop in Bhirang village. Similarly, in Naugaon block, one Gopal Biswal, hailing from Osakana village, had received work order for construction of a building under PMAY on plot number 559 bearing khata no 445.
Himansu Das of the same village had also received work order for construction of building under PMAY on plot number 408 bearing khata no 324. During investigation, it was found that no buildings were constructed on the plots even as the funds were used for commercial dwellings.
Meanwhile, BDO Erasama, Kailash Chandra Behera has lodged an FIR against Pallei. IIC of Erasama police station, Prasant Kumar Majhi informed that police have registered a case against the accused for submitting false documents avail funds under PMAY. However, no action has yet been taken by the Nuagaon BDO against the beneficiaries who misappropriated funds under the scheme.
