In an attempt to provide affordable housing for the poor in both rural and urban areas, Odisha’s Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced that his government will shortly launch Shelter Security Mission .

The State government will spend about Rs.15,000 to Rs.20,000 crores on the scheme. It will be directly monitored by the Chief Minister.

He said, “Shelter security is one of the top most priorities of my government.Within a time frame of five years, the government will convert all the kutcha houses to pucca ones under the Biju Pucca Ghar Scheme.”

The bottlenecks in implementation of rural housing schemes in the past had been the completion ratio. To achieve speedy completion of houses, the government will provide Rs.10,000 incentive for houses that are completed within four months from the date of issue of work order and release of first installment. Out of this, Rs.9,000 will go to the beneficiary who can utilize this for purchase of household articles, while the rest will go to the government functionary/functionaries who have monitored and supervised the construction work.

And for those who complete houses in six months, can get an incentive of Rs.5,000. Out of which, Rs.500 will go to the government functionary/functionaries monitoring the construction work.

The cash incentive awards will be instituted for gram panchayats, blocks and districts performing well in the Biju Pucca Ghar Scheme.