Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh govt has expanded the scope of the Mukhyamantri Awas Yojana-Gramin to include all remaining Scheduled Tribes (STs), aiming to achieve universal housing coverage among tribal communities in the state.The decision follows a proposal by the Rural Development Department after earlier target groups under the scheme reached near saturation. Initially, only select communities such as Musahar and Vantangia were covered, with 18 castes and tribes included between 2020-21 and 2025-26.According to the order, tribal communities such as Bhotia, Jaunsari, Raji, Gond (including its sub-groups Dhuria, Ojha, Nayak, Pathari and Rajgond), Kharwar, Khairwar, Parahiya, Pankha, Panika, Agariya, Patari and Bhuinya/Bhunia will now be eligible for permanent housing under the scheme.Govt data shows that against a target of one lakh houses for 2025-26, only 94,132 beneficiaries were identified, leaving a gap of around 6,000 houses. The inclusion of additional tribes is expected to fill this shortfall.The govt order, issued on Wednesday , directs district authorities to ensure immediate implementation so that eligible beneficiaries receive housing benefits without delay.Officials said the move will position Uttar Pradesh among leading states providing housing to its entire tribal population.
