Two contractors booked for irregularities in Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana house construction
Nine Baiga tribal beneficiaries allegedly paid ₹5.09 lakh for house construction; FIRs registered at two police stations
Government committed to timely construction of pucca houses; strict action against irregularities and exploitation of beneficiaries
Raipur. Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma has taken a firm stand against irregularities, negligence and fraud in the construction of houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. He made it clear that any misuse of funds meant for economically weaker families would not be tolerated. He said the scheme aims to help underprivileged families realise their dream of owning a pucca house, and anyone found misappropriating funds or cheating beneficiaries would face strict legal action.
Vijay Sharma said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision is to ensure that every eligible family has access to a pucca house. Providing safe and dignified housing to families belonging to Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), especially those living in remote forest areas, remains a priority for the government. He stressed that funds sanctioned for house construction are meant exclusively for the beneficiaries, and anyone who misuses these funds or exploits beneficiaries will not be spared.
Two contractors booked in Kabirdham district
FIRs have been registered in two separate cases in Bodla block of Kabirdham district following complaints that contractors collected money from beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Janman Awas Yojana but failed to construct their houses. The complaints involve nine beneficiaries and a total amount of ₹5.09 lakh. Cases have been registered against the contractors at Chilphi and Taregaon Jungle police stations.
In the first case, an FIR was registered against contractor Kumar Meravi at Chilphi police station on October 14 under Section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. He is accused of collecting ₹3.20 lakh from five beneficiaries in Rajadhar gram panchayat for house construction without carrying out the work.
According to the complaint, ₹60,000 each was collected from Dev Singh, Mandhor Bai, Pusiya Bai and Nanki Bai, while ₹80,000 was taken from Kaushilya Bai. Even after around one-and-a-half years, the houses had not been constructed and the money had not been returned. Following written complaints from the beneficiaries, an FIR was registered against the contractor.
Action in Amanara gram panchayat
In a separate case in Amanara gram panchayat of Bodla block, an FIR was registered against contractor Tumesh God at Taregaon Jungle police station on October 13. He is accused of collecting money from four beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Janman Awas Yojana without completing the house construction.
According to the complaint, ₹64,000 was collected from Baisakhu Baiga, ₹60,000 from Sukor Bai, ₹45,000 from Sonia Bai and ₹20,000 from Rano Bai, taking the total to ₹1.89 lakh. An FIR was registered at Taregaon Jungle police station under crime number 420.
No leniency for those who exploit housing beneficiaries – Vijay Sharma
Reiterating the government’s position, Vijay Sharma said the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana is more than a housing programme; it is intended to provide economically weaker families with security, dignity and stability. Housing for PVTG families is being prioritised under the Pradhan Mantri Janman initiative. Misleading vulnerable beneficiaries and misusing funds sanctioned for their homes would be treated as a serious matter.
He stressed that funds sanctioned for house construction must be used for their intended purpose and that eligible beneficiaries must receive their homes on time. Any irregularity found at any stage would invite strict action against those responsible. Protecting the rights and interests of underprivileged and economically weaker families, he said, remains one of the government’s highest priorities.
