Patna: Bihar has handed over keys to beneficiaries of 2.35 lakh completed houses under PMAY-Gramin, while the state government highlighted additional support for housing repairs, land purchase and basic amenities for poor families.
Rural Development Minister Shravan Kumar made the announcement at a programme held at Bapu Sabhagar in Patna, where sanction letters were also distributed to newly selected beneficiaries.
Over 42 Lakh PMAY-G Houses Completed
Kumar said Bihar has received 49,17,344 applications under PMAY-Gramin since 2016-17. The government has sanctioned 49,09,829 houses, of which 42,18,025 houses, or 85.77%, have been completed.
The Centre has also approved 11,18,937 additional houses for Bihar, giving a further boost to rural housing coverage.
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Bihar Offers Repair and Land Assistance
The minister highlighted Bihar’s additional support for housing beneficiaries. Families eligible under the state’s housing initiatives can receive assistance for repairing and painting older houses.
Landless PMAY beneficiaries can also receive five decimals of government land, where available. If suitable government land is unavailable, the state provides ₹1 lakh for land purchase.
Housing beneficiaries can also receive support for basic facilities, including ₹12,000 for toilets, tap water connections, electricity connections and up to 125 units of free electricity.
The state government says the approach is intended to ensure that families receive not just a house but also essential services needed for a better standard of living.
PMAY Eligibility Gets Wider
Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who attended the event as chief guest, said PMAY benefits will now extend to people earning up to ₹15,000 per month.
He also said eligible farmers owning up to five acres of irrigated land or 2.5 acres of unirrigated land, as well as eligible motorcycle owners, can benefit under the revised housing criteria.
The expanded eligibility could bring more rural households into the housing programme.
C-Marts Planned Across Bihar
Chouhan also announced plans to establish C-Marts in every district to create better market opportunities for local artisans and products, particularly those produced through JEEViKA initiatives.
The move is aimed at connecting rural producers with wider markets and strengthening income opportunities alongside housing support.
Bihar Seeks More Support From Centre
Shravan Kumar also placed several proposals before the Centre. He sought 90–95 days of wage employment under VB-G RAM G for beneficiaries of the Chief Minister’s housing scheme, similar to the support available under PMAY.
He also requested that beneficiaries whose Indira Awas houses, constructed before 2015-16, have become dilapidated be considered afresh under the PMAY selection list.
The minister further sought the construction of large marts and haats near major tourist destinations, including Bodh Gaya, Rajgir, Nalanda, Pawapuri, Vaishali, Kesaria, Dumraon and Bhagalpur.
The latest housing push combines house construction with land support, basic amenities and livelihood-linked initiatives. Its wider impact will depend on how quickly newly sanctioned houses are completed and how effectively eligible families access the additional benefits.
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