In the heart of Janjgir Champa district, the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Gramin) has changed lives and landscapes in the rural panchayat of Kotiya. What was once a cluster of fragile homes has now been transformed into a vibrant village of solid houses, clean courtyards, and lush surroundings symbolizing stability and growth. The scheme has brought not just roofs over heads, but dignity, hygiene, and self reliance into daily village life.
A total of 114 houses have been completed under the scheme, each with an attached toilet that has pushed Kotiya toward becoming open defecation free. Through the Swachh Bharat Mission, sanitation awareness has taken root, while the Ujjwala Yojana has provided women with smoke free kitchens. The Nal Jal Yojana has ensured clean drinking water for every home, Ayushman Bharat has delivered healthcare protection, and MGNREGA has opened sustainable employment pathways for the rural workforce.
Construction activity itself has revived the rural economy by generating steady income for local masons, laborers, and suppliers. The state’s emphasis on digital transparency enabled online processing from application to payment, making corruption nearly impossible and increasing technological awareness among villagers. The initiative’s special focus on women’s ownership has empowered them with both assets and recognition, reinforcing gender equality at the grassroots level.
Among the many stories of transformation, that of Kewra Bai stands out. A former resident of a temporary thatched hut, she now lives in a sturdy home built under this scheme. She received Rupees 1.20 lakh for construction, Rupees 21,870 as labor payment under MGNREGA, and Rupees 12,000 through the Swachh Bharat Mission for a personal toilet. Her new home, she says with emotion, “is not just made of bricks but built with respect and hope.”
Kotiya today stands as a testament to what transparent governance and sincere execution can achieve. Each completed house is more than infrastructure, it is a foundation of social change, weaving together cleanliness, sustainability, and pride. With government initiatives converging under the vision of empowerment, Kotiya is not merely a village, it is a living reminder that development, when inclusive, brings the light of opportunity to every doorstep.
