1,067 Bharia families in MP's Chhindwara receive permanent houses under PM Janman Awas Yojana

A total of 1,067 Bharia tribal families residing in the remote forested areas of Chhindwara district have been allotted permanent concrete houses under the Pradhan Mantri Janman Awas Yojana.

The scheme aims to ensure dignified housing for tribal communities living in far-flung regions.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav hailed the initiative and said, “This scheme, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi with a commitment to the upliftment of tribal communities, will be implemented in full across Madhya Pradesh.”

To ensure efficient implementation in remote blocks such as Chaurai, Harrai, Tamia, Amarwara, Junnardev, and Parasia, the district administration adopted an innovative method of collective material procurement, leading to a savings of nearly ₹1 crore.

Overcoming Geographic and Logistical Barriers

Chhindwara district was assigned a target of 5,825 houses under the Pradhan Mantri Janman Abhiyan. However, executing the plan in regions located 100–125 kilometers from the district headquarters proved challenging. Beneficiaries often faced inflated prices and substandard quality of construction materials due to the remoteness of the villages, deterring many from completing their homes.

In response, Collector Sheelendra Singh took proactive steps, visiting the affected areas with officials, directly engaging with beneficiaries, and facilitating open discussions with local authorities and stakeholders. Through this collaborative approach, the administration was able to secure high-quality materials at affordable rates.

Bulk Supply Model Yields Significant Savings

By partnering directly with district-level wholesalers, the administration fixed rates for essential materials such as cement, bricks, ballast, and iron rods. These supplies were delivered in bulk to villages, with prices ranging from ₹2 to ₹55 lower than the local market. This strategy minimized transportation costs and ensured timely delivery, enabling faster construction.

The result: a total saving of ₹99,21,443 across 1,067 families—averaging ₹9,298 per household. Currently, 1,052 houses have been completed, and construction of the remaining 508 is underway.

Empowering Beneficiaries, Eliminating Middlemen

This streamlined model not only facilitated cost efficiency but also protected beneficiaries from exploitation by middlemen. “The innovative approach not only played a crucial role in achieving the targets under the scheme but also freed the beneficiaries from the exploitation of middlemen who used to deceive them,” a district official noted.

Buoyed by the success of the initiative, the district administration plans to replicate this model for upcoming housing projects under the scheme.