Bhubaneswar, Oct 15: The Odisha government has decided to construct an additional 2,91,666 houses under the Antyodaya Gruha Yojana, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced on Thursday.

The tenure of the scheme has also been extended by two years, from 2027 to 2029, with the objective of accelerating the state's goal of providing housing for all.

The Chief Minister said the decision would help more eligible poor and vulnerable families secure permanent homes and enable the government to achieve its housing targets sooner.

The total project outlay for the Antyodaya Gruha Yojana will remain unchanged at Rs 7,550 crore. However, the government has decided to allocate Rs 3,500 crore from the repair component of the project towards the construction of new houses.

The scheme primarily benefits poor and vulnerable families who have not been found eligible for housing assistance under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), despite their need for a permanent home.

The government had initially set a target of constructing houses for five lakh families under the scheme. With the approval of an additional 2,91,666 houses and the extension of the implementation period, the initiative is expected to reach more eligible beneficiaries.

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The state government has also revised the financial incentives offered to beneficiaries who complete their houses within the stipulated time. The revised incentive structure provides higher amounts and additional time for completion.

Under the revised provisions, beneficiaries who complete their houses within five months will receive an incentive of Rs 35,000, compared with the earlier incentive of Rs 20,000 for completing construction within four months.

Similarly, beneficiaries who complete their houses within seven months will now receive Rs 20,000, up from the earlier incentive of Rs 10,000 for completing construction within six months.