Nilanjan
Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) is one of the most ambitious and popular schemes of the Modi government that promises to provide housing for all by 2022. The scheme has two components: PMAY-Urban (PMAY-U) for the urban poor and PMAY-Gramin (PMAY-G) for the rural poor. The scheme aims to construct over 20 million houses across the country with central and state subsidies, bank loans, and beneficiary contributions.
However, the scheme has been marred by allegations of corruption, irregularities, fraud, and scams in various states, especially in Rajasthan, where the scheme has been implemented on a large scale. According to multiple reports, the Rajasthan government has secured the first place in the category of the state that has completed the highest number of houses under PMAY. However, this success is not the whole truth of the scheme.
A recent investigation by DNA revealed that many beneficiaries under PMAY in Rajasthan have received multiple houses under different names or fake identities, while many eligible and needy people have been left out of the scheme. The investigation also exposed how local officials, politicians, contractors, and middlemen have been involved in siphoning off funds meant for PMAY by inflating costs, manipulating data, forging documents, and violating norms.
The investigation found that many beneficiaries under PMAY in Rajasthan have received more than one house under different names or fake identities. For example, one beneficiary named Ramkali Devi received two houses under PMAY-G in two different villages under two different names: Ramkali Devi and Ramkali Bai. Another beneficiary named Rameshwar Lal received three houses under PMAY-U in three different cities under three different names: Rameshwar Lal, Rameshwar Lal Meena, and Rameshwar Lal Gurjar.
The investigation also found that many eligible and needy people have been left out of PMAY in Rajasthan due to various reasons such as lack of awareness, lack of documents, lack of funds, or lack of political influence. For example, one beneficiary named Sunita Devi applied for PMAY-G in 2016 but did not receive any assistance till date. She lives in a dilapidated hut with her husband and four children. Another beneficiary named Raju Ram applied for PMAY-U in 2017 but did not receive any subsidy or loan till date. He lives in a rented room with his wife and two children.
The investigation also exposed how local officials, politicians, contractors, and middlemen have been involved in siphoning off funds meant for PMAY by inflating costs, manipulating data, forging documents, and violating norms. For example, one contractor named Mahesh Kumar Sharma was found to have constructed over 500 houses under PMAY-G in various villages with substandard materials and inflated costs. He also forged documents and signatures of beneficiaries to claim subsidies from the government. Another contractor named Rajesh Kumar was found to have constructed over 300 houses under PMAY-U in various cities with substandard materials and inflated costs. He also forged documents and signatures of beneficiaries to claim subsidies from the government.
The investigation also revealed that many local officials and politicians have been involved in facilitating or overlooking these scams for their personal gains or political interests. For example, one official named Rajendra Singh Rathore was found to have approved many fake or duplicate beneficiaries under PMAY-G in his district without verifying their identities or eligibility. He also received kickbacks from contractors for clearing their bills. Another official named Ashok Gehlot was found to have ignored or suppressed many complaints or reports of corruption or irregularities under PMAY-U in his state without taking any action against the culprits. He also received political support from contractors for promoting their interests.
These are just some of the examples of how Modi’s dream project of housing for all turned into a nightmare of corruption and scams in Rajasthan. There are many more such cases of corruption and scams under PMAY in other states as well, as per various reports. These cases not only expose the failure of the Modi government in implementing PMAY effectively and transparently, but also betray the trust and hopes of millions of poor and homeless people who deserve a dignified and secure life.
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