Hans News Service Hyderabad

HousingMinister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy stated in the Assembly on Thursday that the state government will drop Indiramma Housing scheme beneficiaries if they reside outside their designated constituencies. Replying to a supplementary question during Question Hour, Srinivasa Reddy emphasized that the government aims to construct houses where the poor currently live to protect their self-respect and livelihoods, rejecting policies that relocate beneficiaries 30 to 40 kilometres away from their workplaces. He highlighted that even in prime locations valued at Rs 150 crore to Rs 200 crore per acre, the government is sanctioning houses treating each constituency as a single unit.

Ensuring complete transparency in selection, official door-to-door physical verifications are being conducted for every beneficiary selected in the draw, and any non-residents will have their names deleted promptly. Srinivasa Reddy noted that no other Indian state provides Rs 5 lakh free of cost for housing construction, adding that the government will positively consider member feedback regarding whether the Rs 5 lakh allocation requires enhancement.

Outlining the financial blueprint, Srinivasa Reddy explained that approximately Rs 22500 crore is required for the 4.50 lakh houses sanctioned in the first phase, Rs 11000 crore for the 2.50 lakh houses in the second phase, and Rs 5500 crore for one lakh urban houses. Consequently, the state government will bear over Rs 40000 crore across two instalments to deliver nearly eight lakh houses. Assuring eligible families, he affirmed that the administration remains prepared to extend housing benefits to all remaining deserving poor through third and fourth phases in the near future.