DRDA issues notice to Indora BDO over PMAY survey delay

The District Rural Development Agency (DRDA), Kangra, has issued a show cause notice to the Block Development Office (BDO), Indora, for failing to conduct the mandatory survey under the Prime Minister Awas Yojana (PMAY) in three gram panchayats.

The survey, meant to identify eligible families for financial aid, was to be completed by March-end. The delay could deprive deserving families of the Rs 1.50 lakh financial support for constructing pucca houses.

Chander Vir Singh, Project Director, DRDA, Dharamshala, emphasised the seriousness of the delay and directed the BDO to complete the process within the stipulated time. He also pointed out that the survey had been delayed in the snow-bound Bara-Bhangal area of Baijnath development block. He urged the central government to extend the deadline, particularly for such difficult terrains.

Inquiries revealed that the survey was not conducted in Damtal, Chhanni, and Beli-Mahanta panchayats within Indora block, which has 53 panchayats in total. Sudarshan Singh, BDO Indora, cited that the delay was due to many rural families occupying Ram Gopal temple land. He assured that the process to identify and select eligible beneficiaries had begun on a war footing and would be completed by the end of the month.

This delay highlights the challenges in implementing welfare schemes at the grassroots level, particularly in areas facing land disputes or harsh geographical conditions. The timely completion of the survey remains crucial to ensuring housing support reaches the rightful beneficiaries.