Assam: Widow alleges 8 year wait for promised home under PMAY, claim irregularities in housing scheme implementation

The implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) has reportedly come under scrutiny in the Rudrasagar Panchayat area of Sivasagar district, following allegations that a destitute widow was deprived of housing benefits despite long-standing eligibility.

Nipumoni Dutta, a widow living in extreme financial distress, claims she applied for a PMAY house in 2017 but has yet to receive any assistance under the scheme. Nearly eight years later, she and her young daughter continue to live in a severely dilapidated structure that is on the verge of collapse.

According to locals, the condition of the house has worsened alarmingly over time. The walls and supporting pillars have decayed, while the roof is riddled with large holes, leaving the family exposed to harsh weather conditions. During heavy rain, water reportedly seeps through the roof, making survival inside the house increasingly difficult.

The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana was launched with the objective of providing “Housing for All,” particularly targeting economically weaker sections and vulnerable families in rural and urban areas. However, Dutta’s case has raised concerns about gaps in last-mile delivery and alleged irregularities in beneficiary selection at the local level.

The widow has alleged that despite her visible hardship, her name was struck off the beneficiary list. She has questioned the role of the concerned ward member and local officials, asking why her application was not processed even after repeated appeals. “After seeing my condition, how can they remove my name?” she reportedly asked, expressing anguish over what she described as injustice.

Residents of the area have also voiced concern, stating that deserving beneficiaries should not be excluded from welfare schemes meant for the poorest sections of society. The incident has sparked calls for an impartial inquiry into the matter and a review of the beneficiary list in the Rudrasagar Panchayat.

Local authorities are yet to issue an official statement on the allegations. Meanwhile, Nipumoni Dutta and her daughter continue to wait for a roof that was promised under a scheme designed to secure shelter for the nation’s most vulnerable citizens.