West Bengal’s Panchayats and Rural Development (P&RD) Department has completed a survey of more than 54.6 lakh households under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), exceeding the projected survey target for the state.
The survey, which concluded on August 31, was conducted to identify eligible households for rural housing benefits under the central government scheme. The exercise covered households across West Bengal and also included a smartphone-based self-survey facility for eligible applicants.
For the first time, the state P&RD Department allowed people to apply for the survey through their smartphones without having to visit government offices. Nearly seven lakh applications were received through the self-survey process, expanding participation in the beneficiary identification exercise.
South 24 Parganas recorded the highest number of households covered in the survey, with more than 4.8 lakh households. Murshidabad followed with around 4.4 lakh households, while North 24 Parganas ranked third with approximately 3.8 lakh households surveyed.
The state had a projected minimum survey target of 44.4 lakh households. However, the final survey coverage reached more than 54.6 lakh households, representing 123% of the projected target.
The survey data and applications received through the smartphone self-survey facility will now undergo scrutiny. The state government will prepare the final list of eligible beneficiaries after verifying the survey records and applications.
A senior P&RD Department official said that the final list will be prepared following a thorough scrutiny of the survey results and self-survey applications. Funds will be released after the beneficiary identification and verification process is completed.
The Centre has approved the construction of one lakh houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana in West Bengal. The survey and subsequent verification process are expected to support the identification of households eligible to receive housing assistance under the scheme.
The smartphone-based self-survey facility has provided an additional route for eligible households to participate in the process. Applicants could submit their information digitally rather than depending only on physical visits to government offices.
The completion of the survey marks the end of the initial data collection stage. The next stage will focus on scrutinising the survey records, verifying applications and preparing the final beneficiary list before the release of funds for approved rural housing projects.
With more than 54.6 lakh households covered, the survey has exceeded its projected minimum target and generated a large pool of applications for verification. The final number of eligible beneficiaries will be determined after the scrutiny process is completed.
The initiative is expected to help the state identify households requiring housing assistance under PMAY and support the implementation of the approved rural housing programme in West Bengal.
Image- prd.wb.gov.in
