Launches mobile app to select beneficiaries
Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy launching the Indiramma Houses mobile app at the Secretariat, accompanied by Housing Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy. (Image: Twitter)
HYDERABAD: In a landmark initiative, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy announced that the Telangana government will construct 4.50 lakh Indiramma houses every year, beginning this year. The scheme, with focus on inclusive housing for the poor, will ensure construction of 3,500 houses every year in each Assembly constituency.
The announcement was made at the launch of the Indiramma houses mobile app, designed to enable a transparent and efficient selection of beneficiaries. The event, held at the Secretariat, was attended by housing minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister criticised the BRS government for failing to fulfill its promise of providing double-bedroom houses for the poor.
Under the Indiramma scheme, each beneficiary will receive ₹5 lakh in financial assistance for construction of a house.
"Telangana is the only state to allocate such a significant amount as housing support," he said. Priority will be given to marginalised groups, including the disabled, agricultural labourers, sanitation workers, dalits, tribals, widows and transgender persons.
To address historical gaps, the government has also introduced a special housing quota for tribal populations in Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA) areas. This will cover communities like the chenchus in Nallamala, gonds in Adilabad, and Koyas in Bhadrachalam to ensure housing for the state’s native tribes.
Revanth Reddy announced that the government will build a model Indiramma house in every mandal to serve as a guide for beneficiaries to make the best possible use of their land. He clarified that there was no requirement for beneficiaries to follow the model house design as they will have the freedom to build houses according to their choices and preferences. As a further relief from financial burdens, he assured to waive loans taken under the previous Indiramma housing scheme that are pending.
He said that they were reviving the housing department that was dissolved by the BRS government. The revamped department will include a fully staffed workforce to oversee efficient implementation of the housing scheme.
To ensure fairness, the government will utilise artificial intelligence (AI) to scrutinise applications and monitor the construction process. This will prevent malpractices and guarantee that only deserving beneficiaries receive housing support.
Revanth Reddy accused his predecessor K. Chandrasekhar Rao of neglecting housing for the poor and prioritising his personal and party infrastructure projects.
“While we built 25.04 lakh Indiramma houses from 2004 to 2014, Rao started construction of only one lakh double-bedroom houses and completed just 65,000”, he said.
He accused Chandrashekar Rao of allocating prime lands for his party offices and constructing luxurious facilities like Pragathi Bhavan, a lavish Secretariat, and farmhouses for his family members, while failing to complete 2bhk houses for the poor.
The Congress government has allocated ₹195 crore to complete the 35,000 houses left unfinished by the previous regime, he said.
“Indira Gandhi’s vision of ‘Roti, kapda aur makaan’ remains our guiding principle,” he said.
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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