GUWAHATI: Another scam related to the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) has come to light in the Lakhimpur district, just a day after a massive scam was uncovered in Assam's Barpeta district. The new scam was reported in the Naoboicha Assembly constituency in Bihpuria, where three panchayat employees have been arrested in connection with the fraudulent activities.
The individuals apprehended were working at Dikrong Gram Panchayat and have been identified as Anup Chetri, the secretary of the gram panchayat, Navakanta Doley, the Gaon Panchayat Coordinator (GPC), and Hasim Phukan, a ward member. They were taken into custody following the filing of an FIR by the Bhawanipur Block Development Officer (BDO). Additionally, another person suspected to be involved in the scam was detained for questioning by the police.
In the previous PMAY scam reported in Barpeta, 3 Gram panchayat employees were also arrested in connection with the fraudulent activities. The arrests were made after the BDO filed an FIR. The individuals taken into custody were Panchayat President Hasan Ali, Secretary Brishti Ram Daimary, and Coordinator Mir Hussain. Furthermore, a tax collector named Ratan Talukdar was detained for further investigation.
The alleged scam involved deceiving beneficiaries by providing them with a small sum of money, ranging from Rs. 20,000 to 30,000, while siphoning off lakhs of rupees from them. The accused would show misleading pictures of fully furnished houses to the victims, even though the houses were still under construction. It is believed that the accused used alternative photographs to hide the fact that the houses were unfinished.
The Sarupeta police are currently interrogating the panchayat president and secretary as part of their efforts to uncover the full extent of the fraudulent activities. This incident has raised significant concerns about the implementation and oversight of the Prime Minister's Housing Scheme, highlighting the need for stricter measures to prevent such exploitation in the future.
PMAY Assam, an initiative by the Government of India, aims to provide affordable housing to all by 2022. The scheme offers subsidies to eligible urban and rural households. To qualify, you must belong to one of the eligible income groups, not own a pucca house anywhere in the country, not have received assistance from any other government housing scheme, and meet certain income criteria. PMAY benefits can be utilized for purchasing or constructing a new unit or improving an existing home. Scheduled caste and scheduled tribe citizens are also eligible, and properties must be co-owned by a woman unless there are no female members. To access these benefits, you can apply for PMAY and avail of affordable home loan financing through the Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme.
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