Odisha Govt to provide free sand to PMAY beneficiaries

Bhubaneswar, June 7: In a major relief to economically weaker sections, the Odisha government has announced that beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) will be provided with free sand for house construction under the scheme.

Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari, while addressing the media, stated that each PMAY beneficiary will receive up to two tractor-loads of sand at no cost. In addition, permits will be issued to allow beneficiaries to procure sand at affordable rates across the state. The initiative aims to reduce construction expenses and ease the financial burden on beneficiaries of the Centre’s flagship housing scheme.

The proposal was approved during a recent state Cabinet meeting held on Friday.

Highlighting the growing concern over illegal sand mining, the Minister revealed that a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) is being formulated to curb such activities. Under the proposed SOP, heavy vehicles will be banned from riverbeds to prevent large-scale extraction.

Strict action will be taken against illegal sand miners and those obstructing enforcement. The warning follows a recent incident in Mayurbhanj, where a senior revenue official was attacked by members of the sand mafia.