PATNA: Chief minister, Nitish Kumar, on Wednesday transferred a total of Rs 1,200 crore as the first instalment to 3 lakh families through direct benefit transfer (DBT), under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G), with a single click of mouse during a programme held at ‘Sankalp’ hall of the CM residence here.
During the programme, rural development department (RDD) secretary, Lokesh Kumar Singh informed through a presentation that the state govt got a target of construction of 2,43,903 houses under the PMAY-G in Sept 2024 from the Centre. An additional target of 5,46,745 was received from the Union ministry of rural development on Jan 27 this year. Thus, for the financial year 2024-25, the state received a total target of 790,648 under PMAY-G.
“The each beneficiary of this scheme receives a total assistance of Rs 1.20 lakh, disbursed in three instalments, according to the progress of house construction. At least 60% of the funds are provided by the central govt and 40% by the state. Therefore, an amount of Rs 48,000, which is 40%, is given to the beneficiaries as the state’s share,” Singh said.
On Oct 7 last year, the CM had made payment of the first instalment of assistance to 1.05 lakh beneficiaries. This incurred an expenditure of Rs 420 crore.
“In today’s programme, the amount of first instalment at the rate of Rs 40,000 to each beneficiary, was paid online to 3 lakh families, totalling an expenditure of Rs 1,200 crore,” a communique issued from the chief minister’s office (CMO) said on Wednesday.
“In the next 100 days, these beneficiaries will receive payments of Rs 80,000 each as the second and third instalments. Additionally, they will be provided with Rs 22,050 as remuneration for 90 days of unskilled labour through MGNREGA and Rs 12,000 for toilet construction under the Lohia Swachh Bihar Abhiyan. Thus, each beneficiary will receive a total of Rs 1,54,050. Consequently, the 3 lakh beneficiaries of this programme will receive Rs 4,621.50 crore rupees in the coming 100 days,” the CMO said.
During the programme, the CM congratulated the families who benefited from the scheme. He also commended the rural development department (RDD) for organising today’s event. He emphasised the importance of properly implementing the schemes of the central and state govts to ensure that beneficiaries receive immediate benefits. “Special care should be taken to ensure that beneficiaries do not face any inconvenience,” Nitish asked the RDD officials.
The event was attended by deputy CMs Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, rural development minister Shravan Kumar, chief secretary Amritlal Meena, CM’s principal secretary S Siddharth, CM’s secretary Anupam Kumar, secretary of the rural development department Lokesh Kumar Singh, CM’s secretary Kumar Ravi, CM’s special officer Gopal Singh, CEO of Jeevika Himanshu Sharma, and MNREGA commissioner Abhilasha Sharma, along with other senior officials. The district magistrates and some beneficiaries joined the programme via video conferencing.
