Some women from Uttar Pradesh are allegedly misusing the Centre’s scheme, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, which is devised to help poor and middle-class families build permanent homes.
Media reports say 11 women from Maharajganj district in Uttar Pradesh allegedly took the first installment of ₹40,000 provided by the government under the PMAY scheme, left their husbands, and ran away with their lovers. The incident came to light when the husbands complained to the police.
According to a report by News18, funds under the PMAY scheme were recently sanctioned to around 2,350 beneficiaries in the Maharajganj district. These beneficiaries are from the villages of Thuthibari, Sheetlapur, Chatia, Ramnagar, Bakul Diha, Khasra, Kishunpur, and Medhauli.
After the incident, some media reports claimed that the second installment payment for the beneficiaries was halted by the officials.
The PMAY scheme extends assistance in the form of a permanent roof with a government subsidy of up to ₹2.5 lakh to poor and middle-class families, depending on the family’s income. Authorities might demand the return of funds in cases of discrepancy.
A similar incident occurred last year in Uttar Pradesh when four married women ran away with their lovers after getting PMAY funds. The women reportedly left as soon as ₹50,000 was deposited in their bank accounts.
Authorities were alerted to the matter when they found that construction of the houses for the women had not started. Notices were sent and construction was ordered, but there was no reply. Warnings have since been issued to the husbands by DUDA.