PMAY Funds Misused: Prayagraj Administration Moves to Recover Public Money

The Prayagraj district administration has taken strict action against over 2,000 beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) who received financial assistance but failed to proceed with the construction of their homes. This move is part of an effort to recover public funds that were allocated but remain unutilized or misused by these beneficiaries.

Following the issuance of notices to the defaulters, the administration is now preparing to issue Recovery Certificates (RCs) through the relevant tehsils. These certificates will initiate formal recovery proceedings to reclaim the funds provided under the scheme. The beneficiaries involved include both rural and urban categories under PMAY-Gramin and PMAY-Urban, respectively.

Specifically, 1,507 rural beneficiaries under PMAY-Gramin and 504 urban beneficiaries under PMAY-Urban have failed to complete their housing projects despite having received government financial aid. Many of these beneficiaries have not even begun construction, while others have made minimal progress, such as laying foundations or building partial walls.

Among the urban beneficiaries, about 470 individuals received funds nearly six years ago but have not yet constructed their homes. Of these, more than 400 have not laid any foundation at all, and around 100 have only built partial structures. Areas with high numbers of defaulters include urban localities like Jhalwa, Dhoomanganj, Salori, Baghara, Rajapur, Kareli, and Rajrooppur.

In rural regions, the problem is even more widespread. Approximately 1,450 beneficiaries across various tehsils, such as Koraon, Meja, Karchhana, Bara, Phulpur, and Handia, have failed to start construction despite receiving all installments of government aid. In many cases, construction has not progressed beyond the foundation stage, and some plots remain untouched with no excavation work done.

The District Urban Development Agency (DUDA) is actively involved in addressing this issue. It is preparing formal reports for the concerned tehsils to facilitate the issuance of Recovery Certificates against urban defaulters. Similar documentation is also being prepared for rural cases to ensure that recovery actions can be taken promptly.

Chief Development Officer Harshika Singh has emphasized the importance of using the funds received under PMAY solely for the purpose of constructing homes. She pointed out that beneficiaries who ignored three official notices and failed to show any construction progress will now face strict recovery measures. These enforcement actions are intended to ensure accountability and prevent the misuse of government schemes.

The administration’s efforts form part of a broader initiative to safeguard public funds and make sure that housing assistance schemes like PMAY benefit genuine recipients. By taking recovery action against those who have not utilized the funds appropriately, the district aims to promote transparency and ensure that the resources reach individuals who genuinely intend to build homes.