Kolkata, 13 August (H.S.): The West Bengal government has extended the deadline for the ongoing survey under the state housing scheme by 15 days, giving field officials additional time to complete the door-to-door verification process.

The extension was announced by State Panchayat and Rural Development Minister Dilip Ghosh on Thursday following a review meeting with administrative officials from East and West Burdwan districts at the Srijani Auditorium in Durgapur's City Centre.

The survey was originally scheduled to be completed by August 15. Ghosh said the deadline had been extended because heavy rainfall and adverse weather conditions had disrupted field-level work. The department is also facing a shortage of more than 11,000 personnel, making it difficult to complete the door-to-door survey within the original timeframe.

The minister said special arrangements would be made for households that have not yet been covered. If details and addresses of such households are submitted through email, survey teams will be sent to the concerned locations to complete the verification.

Reviewing the progress of the scheme, Ghosh said funds had been released in the first phase for around 30 lakh houses, of which construction work on nearly 12 lakh houses has been completed. The eligibility of these beneficiaries is currently being re-verified, while work on around 18 lakh houses remains pending.

In the second phase, funds were released for around 20.20 lakh beneficiaries. During verification, approximately 12,500 beneficiaries were found to be ineligible and notices have been issued to them for recovery of the funds. So far, around 1,000 beneficiaries have returned the money, according to the minister.

The government is also conducting special audits covering 10 per cent of gram panchayats to investigate alleged irregularities in the implementation of the housing scheme, the rural employment programme and other government initiatives.

Ghosh warned that strict legal action would follow if financial or procedural irregularities are detected. He said those found misusing funds meant for poor and deserving beneficiaries would not be spared.

The meeting also reviewed the progress of the 125-day employment programme and the housing scheme in both Burdwan districts. Officials were directed to accelerate implementation, address pending issues and ensure that eligible beneficiaries receive the benefits of the schemes without unnecessary delay.

The extended survey period is expected to provide field teams with additional time to cover households that were missed during the initial exercise and complete the verification process more comprehensively.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh