PANAJI: The Goa government has successfully built 250 out of the 254 houses targeted for eligible beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), an official announced on Thursday.
The initiative, designed to provide affordable housing, has been executed at an expenditure of ₹3.4 crore, as stated by the official.
According to P.K. Shirodkar, nodal officer responsible for the scheme and director of the District Rural Development Agency, the goal was to construct 254 houses for qualified beneficiaries in the state.
“As of now, we have completed 250 houses by strictly adhering to all procedures of this scheme. The remaining four houses are expected to be finished within two to three months,” stated Shirodkar.
He added that the Goa government, led by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, has allocated ₹3.4 crore for this project to date.
The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana is a cornerstone initiative of the central government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, aimed at providing affordable housing to eligible households in rural areas.
The funding distribution for this scheme is shared between the Centre and the state in a 60:40 ratio, with the Government of India contributing 60% and the local government supplying the remaining 40%.
The official also suggested that the funding per household should be increased from ₹1.2 lakh due to higher construction costs in Goa compared to other states.
“For instance, constructing a basic house of 50 square meters requires at least ₹10 lakh to ₹15 lakh,” he explained.
With the completion target nearing, the state government has conducted surveys to identify eligible beneficiaries who will be included in the current fiscal year, Shirodkar mentioned.
Mathura Vithal Desai, a resident of the remote village Advalpal in Bicholim taluka, praised the government scheme and recounted the urgent repairs her home required amid financial constraints.
Her family of six previously lived in a mud house, which was in poor condition, particularly during the rainy season when snakes would often enter.
“After applying for PMAY, we received the funds, and with some savings, we managed to build a new house,” Desai said.
Rohini Rohidas Kuttikar from Odlebhat-St Cruz near Panaji shared a similar experience and expressed gratitude for the support provided by the PMAY scheme, noting its vital role in enabling them to construct their home.
