Hyderabad, May 12:
State Revenue, Housing, Information and Public Relations Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy stated that the State Government led by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy is implementing the prestigious Indiramma Housing Scheme with the aim of fulfilling the dream of home ownership for the poor.

The Minister announced that the second phase of the Indiramma Housing Scheme will be formally launched in Adilabad on June 2, marking Telangana Formation Day, as per the directions of Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy. He said modalities for the second phase would be discussed and finalized in the Cabinet meeting scheduled on May 21.

As part of district-wise review meetings being conducted on Revenue and Housing issues, a review meeting for the combined Ranga Reddy and Hyderabad districts was held on Tuesday at the Housing Corporation Head Office.

The meeting was attended by Assembly Speaker G. Prasad Kumar, Ranga Reddy District In-charge Minister D. Sridhar Babu, Hyderabad In-charge Minister Ponnam Prabhakar, Minority Welfare Minister Mohammed Azharuddin, Legislative Council Chief Whip P. Mahender Reddy, MPs, MLAs, MLCs, district collectors and senior officials from Housing, Revenue and Forest Departments.

Speaking during the meeting, Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy said the previous government’s decision to construct Double Bedroom houses far away from Hyderabad city had caused serious inconvenience to beneficiaries and affected their livelihoods. To avoid repetition of such mistakes, he directed officials to identify suitable lands constituency-wise and ensure construction of Indiramma houses within 5 to 8 kilometres from the areas where beneficiaries currently reside.

He stated that many beneficiaries were unwilling to shift to houses located 20 to 30 kilometres away from the city due to livelihood concerns. Keeping this in mind, officials were instructed to identify government lands, slum areas, Bhoodan lands and dilapidated housing colonies built under earlier schemes for construction of Indiramma houses within respective constituencies.

Special Drive for 2BHK Allotments

The Minister instructed officials to conduct a special drive on a war footing to allot Double Bedroom houses. Beneficiaries for completed houses and houses under various stages of construction are to be identified by the end of this month. Preference will be given to beneficiaries residing within 5 to 8 kilometres of the housing colonies.

He also directed officials to ensure provision of essential amenities such as drinking water, drainage and electricity in all housing colonies.

Further, eligible beneficiaries possessing house sites within Hyderabad limits will be issued Indiramma housing sanction letters before the end of this month.

No Tolerance Towards Encroachment of Government Lands

Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy warned that the government would act strictly against encroachment of even a single inch of government land.

During the meeting, Malkajgiri MLA Marri Rajasekhar Reddy brought to the Minister’s notice alleged irregular registrations involving ULC lands under litigation. The Minister immediately directed officials to initiate action against the concerned Sub-Registrar.

He further stated that the government is prepared to construct permanent buildings for RDO, Tahsildar and Sub-Registrar offices lacking their own infrastructure and directed officials to prepare proposals accordingly.

Industries and IT Minister D. Sridhar Babu said the Indiramma Housing Scheme is one of the flagship welfare programmes of the State Government and stressed the need for effective implementation with special focus on urban areas.

Assembly Speaker G. Prasad Kumar appreciated the government for conducting regular review meetings and stated that district collectors should review the implementation of the scheme every week to ensure maximum benefit to the poor.