DEPUTY Chief Minister and Panchayat and Rural Development Minister Vijay Sharma on Sunday accused former Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel of spreading misinformation about the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G) in Chhattisgarh.Addressing the media at his official residence in Nava Raipur Atal Nagar, Sharma said Baghel had attempted to create confusion over the number of houses constructed under the rural housing scheme. He said Baghel, in a letter to Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, had referred to the completion of 10.6 lakh houses. Sharma said the Centre had once again confirmed in Parliament the Chhattisgarh government’s claims regarding the construction of houses under PMAY-G during the past five years. “Had Bhupesh Baghel focused on work instead of spreading misinformation during his tenure, poor families would not have been deprived of housing,” Sharma said. He added that the state government was ready to debate the implementation of PMAY-G with Baghel on any platform.

 

According to Sharma, more than 11 lakh houses have been completed since the BJP government assumed office in the state. He clarified that the figure includes houses sanctioned in previous financial years but left incomplete for various reasons. The Deputy Chief Minister said the current government had provided the funds required to complete pending houses and had prioritised long-delayed housing projects. He added that the government was working to fulfil Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of providing permanent houses to poor families. Responding to a question about the security and possible return of accused Saurabh Chandrakar to Chhattisgarh, Sharma, who also holds the Home portfolio, said central agencies were investigating the case. “Saurabh Chandrakar will be brought to Chhattisgarh, and those found guilty will be sent to jail,” he said. Reacting to Baghel’s remarks that the investigation could expose several of his associates, Sharma asked whether the former Chief Minister did not want them to be exposed. He said the investigation would continue irrespective of who was involved and that action would be taken against anyone found guilty.