Second phase to cover 59,000 huts with Indiramma houses; houses to be built for the poor within their respective constituencies. Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy clarifies on Indiramma houses in the Assembly.
Hyderabad, Trinet News, September 10: State Revenue, Housing, and Information & Public Relations Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy stated that the people's government's primary goal is to protect the self-respect of the poor by constructing Indiramma houses in the very areas where they live. On Thursday in the Legislative Assembly, the Minister answered questions raised by MLAs Manohar Reddy, Rajagopal Reddy, Medepalli Satyam, Akbaruddin, and Venkatrami Reddy regarding Indiramma houses.
The Minister clarified that their government does not follow the policy of sending the poor 30–40 kilometers away from their livelihoods. Stating that every constituency is being taken as a unit to sanction Indiramma houses, he explained that the objective is to provide a house befitting the self-respect of the poor person, even in areas where an acre of land is valued at Rs 150–200 crore.
Transparency in draws, no place for ineligible persons
The Minister stated that complete transparency is being maintained in the selection of Indiramma house beneficiaries. He said officials are physically visiting the homes of every beneficiary selected through the draw. He made it clear on the floor of the House that if anyone belonging to other constituencies is found selected in the draw, their names will be removed without fail.
Telangana is the only state providing Rs 5 lakh free aid
The Minister noted that neither any state government nor the central government in the country has ever provided Rs 5 lakh free financial assistance to the poor for house construction, whereas Telangana is providing Rs 5 lakh for Indiramma houses. Responding to suggestions from several members that Rs 5 lakh is insufficient, he stated that the government will positively examine the matter.
Burden of nearly Rs 40,000 crore for 8 lakh houses
The Minister explained that approximately Rs 22,500 crore is required for the 4.50 lakh houses sanctioned in the first phase, around Rs 11,000 crore for 2.50 lakh houses in the second phase, and about Rs 5,500 crore for one lakh houses in urban areas. He stated that the state government has to bear over Rs 40,000 crore for nearly 8 lakh houses across the two phases. He added that the government is ready to provide houses to eligible poor in the third and fourth phases in the future as well.
Resolution for 3,200 stalled houses due to minor flaws
The Minister stated that about 3,200 houses, which began with government permissions in the first phase but got stalled due to minor construction flaws, have been ratified and cleared. He said measures are being taken to ensure that payments are released to all of them by the end of this week.
Houses for eligible poor transcending party lines
Criticizing that house allocations were previously made with political bias, the Minister asserted that their government is sanctioning houses strictly based on eligibility. He stated that names of eligible poor suggested by opposition members were also examined and permissions granted. He clarified that if any eligible poor person faces injustice anywhere, it should be brought to their notice for immediate resolution.
House sites for the poor in old government lands within a month
The Minister stated that steps are being taken to identify unallocated government lands and lands acquired for the poor during the united Andhra Pradesh regime and distribute them to eligible poor. He said directives have been issued to collectors to ensure these plots are provided to eligible poor in their respective constituencies within a month.
Cement bags priced at Rs 310–320 brought down to Rs 230
To make cement—a major component in house construction—accessible to the poor, the Minister stated that discussions were held with cement companies along with Industries Minister Sridhar Babu. He announced that an agreement has been finalized to supply 50 kg cement bags to the poor at Rs 230, down from the current market price of Rs 310–320, and this system will come into force soon. He added that steps are also being taken to supply steel at lower rates.
Priority for 59,000 huts in the state under the second phase
The Minister conveyed good news to the poor who have been living in huts for decades, stating that the government has decided to prioritize about 59,000 identified huts across the state for constructing Indiramma houses in the second phase.
The Minister stated that measures have been initiated to construct Indiramma Towers on a pilot model across 20 constituencies in the Hyderabad core area. He said beneficiaries have already been selected through a lottery in 16 constituencies, and their physical verification is complete, with the final list under preparation. He stated that programs have been designed to ensure housewarming ceremonies in Hyderabad's Indiramma Towers take place by next year's Bonalu festival. He clarified that this system is being implemented on a pilot basis in Hyderabad and other corporations, and will be extended to municipalities if necessary.
Payout of Rs 750 crore for incomplete 2BHKs
The people's government has spent over Rs 600 crore on completing incomplete 2BHK houses left over from the previous government's tenure and providing infrastructure, the Minister stated. He added that about Rs 750 crore in bills was cleared for 2BHK houses that the previous government left unpaid.
Special opportunity for incomplete houses in the second phase
A special opportunity has also been provided this time for houses that were previously stalled at the foundation, walls, or slab stages due to various reasons using personal funds, the Minister said. He stated that a new policy has been introduced in the second phase, allocating 500 out of every 2,000 houses specifically for incomplete houses.
Advance of Rs 1 lakh for DWCRA women
Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy stated that the government has provided a facility to grant an advance of Rs 1 lakh to poor members of DWCRA women's groups who lack the financial capacity to build a house. He urged public representatives to take the initiative to help the poor transition from huts into slab-roofed Indiramma houses.
