The Government of Odisha, through its Rural Housing Odisha (RHOdisha) initiative, is empowering rural communities by addressing their housing needs. Managed by the Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Department, RHOdisha focuses on providing pucca (permanent) houses to individuals who are houseless or living in kutcha (temporary) structures.
Let’s explore the various housing schemes under RHOdisha and their benefits.
Schemes Offered by RHOdisha
- Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana (Grameen)
- Pucca House Scheme (Mining)
- Nirman Shramik Pucca Ghar Yojana
Must Read: India’s Affordable Housing Schemes
How to Register For the RHOdisha Scheme?
- Visit the Official website of RHOdisha.
- Click on “My House”
- Click on “Registration” on the dashboard. An application form will be displayed. Fill it in and click on “Get OTP”
- An OTP will be sent to your registered mobile number.
- Once you submit the OTP, you application will be registered.
Eligibility for Rural Housing in Odisha
To qualify for rural housing schemes in Odisha, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Resident of Odisha: The applicant must be a permanent resident of the state.
- Economically Disadvantaged: The individual should belong to an economically weaker section.
- Kutcha Home Resident: The applicant must currently live in a kutcha (temporary) house.
- No Pucca Home Ownership: The applicant should not own any pucca (permanent) house within the state at the time of application.
Documents Required for Rural Housing in Odisha
To apply for RHOdhisha housing program, applicants must provide the following documents:
- Aadhaar Card
- Address Proof
- Bonafide Certificate
- BPL Certificate (if applicable)
- EWS Certificate (if applicable)
- Identification Proof (such as a PAN Card or similar)
- Passport-Size Photograph
- Residence Certificate
- Voter ID Card
How to Check RHOdisha Applicant Status?
- Visit the Official website of RHOdisha.
- Click on “My House”
- Enter your Aadhaar number and click on Enter.
- Your application status will be displayed on the screen.
RHOdisha Selection Procedure
- A district-level committee oversees the selection of beneficiaries.
- The committee approves the list of beneficiaries and submits it to the District Collector.
- The District Collector forwards the list to the Block Development Officer (BDO).
- If the committee fails to deliver the list on time, the District Collector has the authority to approve and send the list.
- The final list is shared with relevant Gram Panchayats and block headquarters and is also made available on the DRDA website and the State Rural Housing Portal.
Unit Cost of Housing
- The cost of building houses varies between IAP (Integrated Action Plan) districts and non-IAP districts:
- Non-IAP Districts: ₹1,20,000
- IAP Districts: ₹1,30,000
- The Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water (PR & DW) department can revise unit costs at any time.
- The project is entirely funded by the state government, released in four equal instalments.
Financial Support for RHOdisha Scheme
- Beneficiaries can avail loans of up to ₹70,000 from banking institutions if they choose.
- The government’s contribution will be deposited into the same account used for the loan.
- Banking officials will monitor the construction process to ensure proper utilization of funds.
Financial Management
- The DDO PR & DW department manages the funds for the scheme.
- The government transfers payments directly into beneficiaries’ accounts using PFMS or e-FMS to ensure transparency.
- Public sector, nationalized, or regulated commercial banks must maintain separate accounts at both the DRDA and block levels.
- The Auditor General of Odisha or the Comptroller and Auditor General of India audits these accounts.
Material Procurement
- Materials like cement, steel, and bricks are essential for construction under the scheme.
- The District Administration coordinates the procurement and distribution of building materials.
- Beneficiaries can either purchase materials from the district-approved vendor or choose their own supplier.
Scheme Instalments
The instalments are released in stages to enable the construction process:
- First Instalment: ₹20,000 upon approval of construction.
- Second Instalment: After the lintel is installed:
- IAP Districts: ₹35,000
- Non-IAP Districts: ₹30,000
- Third Instalment: After the house is complete with roofing:
- IAP Districts: ₹45,000
- Non-IAP Districts: ₹40,000
- Final Instalment: ₹30,000 upon full completion, including sanitation facilities, and once the beneficiary moves into the house.
RHOdisha Helpline Number
For queries or assistance, applicants can call the toll-free helpline number: 155-237.
Conclusion
The RHOdisha is a comprehensive initiative by the Odisha government to uplift rural communities by providing them with secure and permanent housing. With transparent financial management, flexible material procurement, and systematic instalment disbursements, this scheme ensures that the economically disadvantaged can build and own pucca homes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Applicants must be permanent residents of Odisha, belong to economically disadvantaged groups, live in a kutcha house, and not own a pucca house in the state.
The scheme provides ₹1,20,000 for non-IAP districts and ₹1,30,000 for IAP districts. You will receive the amount in instalments based on construction progress.
Yes, you can apply for a loan of up to ₹70,000 from any banking institution. The government will deposit its contribution into the same account.
You can submit your application through the RHOdisha portal or at local administrative offices. The district-level committee will handle the selection process.
You can check your application status on the State Rural Housing Portal or the DRDA website, where the approved beneficiary list is available.