CAG Report Reveals Irregularities in PM Awas Yojana (Gramin): Full Payments Made for Incomplete Houses

Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh: The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has raised serious concerns regarding the implementation of the PM Awas Yojana (Gramin) in its latest audit report, which was tabled in the state assembly on Wednesday. The report highlights gaps in beneficiary selection, payment disbursal, and physical verification of houses under the scheme.

Survey and Beneficiary Selection

According to the report, a survey to identify eligible beneficiaries was conducted in July 2017, and the report was published in March 2024. Out of 33.64 lakh identified beneficiaries, only 22.29 lakh names were included in the official waiting list for the scheme.

Payments to Ineligible or Already Completed Houses

The audit revealed that between 2017 and 2023, 11,031 beneficiaries already had completed houses but were still credited with ₹20.18 crore under the scheme. Conversely, 1,838 individuals who were not eligible under the scheme received ₹9.52 crore. Despite identification, only ₹2.62 crore has been recovered so far. In 159 cases, funds were transferred to wrong bank accounts, reportedly due to cyber fraud, with recovery pending as of October 2024.

Incomplete Houses Received Full Payments

Physical verification of 20,215 houses approved between 2016 and 2023 revealed that these houses were incomplete even a year after construction, yet full payments of ₹134 crore had already been disbursed to beneficiaries.

Lack of Basic Amenities and PM Awas Marks

Out of 2,079 houses verified, 77 were incomplete. Shockingly, 74% lacked plastered walls, and 82% had no PM Awas Yojana marking, which is mandatory before full payment. Additionally, 54% of houses lacked cooking facilities, 44% had no drainage arrangements, 29% had no toilets, 39% lacked kitchen gas connections, 30% had no electricity, and 89% had no water supply.

Audit Findings Signal Oversight Issues

The CAG report underscores systemic lapses in fund disbursement, verification, and monitoring mechanisms, pointing to a pressing need for stricter oversight to ensure that scheme benefits reach only deserving beneficiaries and that houses meet basic infrastructure standards.