Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi distributed the first instalment of Rs 40,000 each to 48,693 beneficiaries of the Antyodaya Gruha Yojana (AGY) aimed at providing pucca houses to the poor. A total of Rs 194.77 crore was disbursed as part of the first instalment. The AGY has an allocated budget of Rs 7,550 crore for the period 2024-25 to 2027-28, with a target of constructing 5 lakh houses. Beneficiaries will receive Rs 65,000 in the second instalment and Rs 15,000 in the third, totaling Rs 1.20 lakh upon completion of their houses. Additional incentives of Rs 20,000 and Rs 10,000 will be given to those who complete their houses within 4 and 6 months, respectively. The scheme also includes provisions for toilets through Swachh Bharat Mission, LPG connections via Ujjwala Yojana, safe drinking water under Jal Jeevan Mission, and electricity connections through Saubhagya Yojana. It aims to cover various vulnerable groups such as victims of calamities, displaced households, persons with disabilities, widows, cancer patients, and beneficiaries of the Forest Rights Act. The Chief Minister also initiated the construction of new offices for 471 gram panchayats in 28 districts, with the vision of developing them as service centres for public welfare. Each gram panchayat office will cost Rs 35 lakh jointly funded by the Central and State governments.