Bhubaneswar: In another move to address the housing needs of vulnerable sections, the state cabinet on Friday gave approval to the Antyodaya Gruha Yojana, allocating Rs 7,550 crore to provide pucca houses to disadvantaged families.
The ambitious programme aims to approve 2,25,000 new units within three years, offering financial assistance of Rs 1,20,000 per beneficiary to construct a 25 sq m house, excluding the toilet area.

The scheme specifically targets families affected by natural or man-made disasters, those displaced by govt projects, households with differently-abled primary earners, Forest Rights Act beneficiaries, and eligible families who haven’t benefited from existing housing schemes.
To expedite construction, the govt has introduced incentives for swift completion of houses. Beneficiaries who complete their houses within four to six months of receiving the first instalment will receive additional rewards of Rs 20,000 or Rs 10,000, depending on their scheme category.
The programme has simplified the definition of permanent housing, considering only structures with cement-bonded walls and RCC roofs as permanent dwellings. Houses with asbestos, tin, or tile roofs are classified as temporary structures, a govt statement read.
In a progressive move, the scheme has also redefined family units to include husband, wife, dependent parents, and children. The modification enables new families to access housing benefits, expanding the scheme’s reach to more beneficiaries.
“Antyodaya Gruha Yojana complements existing programmes like Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Rural) and PM Janjati Adivasi Nyay Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN), reinforcing the govt’s commitment to providing adequate housing for all,” chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi said following the cabinet meeting.
He said the comprehensive housing initiative represents a significant step towards improving living standards for economically weaker sections. “The scheme promises to transform the lives of thousands of families across the state,” Majhi said.