39 Lakh Homeless Families Identified in Bihar: Survey

Patna : Nearly 39 lakh families remain without permanent housing, despite ongoing efforts under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G), according to Rural Development Minister Shravan Kumar. Speaking in the Bihar Assembly on Monday during the budget debate for his department, Shravan Kumar highlighted that a survey initiated on January 10 has identified 38.98 lakh families lacking permanent homes. The survey, set to continue until March 31, is expected to add more names to the list.

Assistance and Land for the Homeless

The minister confirmed that once the Gram Sabha approves the final list, beneficiaries will receive financial assistance of Rs1.2 lakh each to construct permanent houses. For families without land, the government plans to provide plots or offer Rs1 lakh to facilitate land purchases.

Shravan Kumar noted that since 2016-17, the Centre has allocated a target of 37.01 lakh houses for Bihar, of which 36.58 lakh have been constructed. The remaining homes are expected to be completed soon. He added that Bihar has pioneered the Chief Minister Rural Housing Scheme, through which 86,586 houses have been sanctioned, with 79,645 already built.