HC Rejects GO Challenging Housing Panel

Hyderabad:The Telangana High Court dismissed pleas challenging GO 33, dated 11.10.2024, issued by the state government for constituting Indiramma committees at the gram panchayat and municipal ward levels for implementing the housing scheme.

Two pleas stated that the GO mentioned that the committees would be constituted without reference to gram sabhas and ward committees, which was against the Telangana Panchayat Raj Act, 2018 and Telangana Municipalities Act, 2019.

The pleas also said that the inclusion of two women from self-help groups and three local persons having interest in developmental activities was bad, as no specific qualification or any other requirements had been detailed in the GO. In the absence of these norms, there is likelihood that the members will be selected by the persons of their choice without any qualifications, and more particularly political personnel.

Under the Indiramma scheme, the state government would provide construction assistance of `5 lakh to each family of the homeless poor for construction of 4.5 lakh houses in the 1st phase.

Justice Nagesh Bheempaka said the government had discretionary power to implement the beneficial schemes under a policy decision and the same cannot be interfered with by the court.

Liberty was given to petitioners to approach the court in case it is found that the scheme was being implemented contrary to its object for which it is launched.