Allocate 2BHK houses by May-end: Ponguleti

Hyderabad: Housing and revenue minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy has directed officials to identify and allocate double-bedroom houses to beneficiaries across Telangana by end of May, regardless of construction status. During a review meeting, he emphasised the need to complete houses in the final stages on a priority basis and announced financial assistance of up to 5 lakh under the Indiramma housing scheme for partially constructed houses. If contractors refuse to complete the work, beneficiaries will be permitted to finish construction independently, with funds released through a green channel.Several MLAs raised concerns regarding ineligible occupants in houses, prompting the minister to instruct collectors to remove them and allocate houses to eligible beneficiaries, with the involvement of MLAs in the process. He cautioned against malpractice in 2BHK bill payments and stressed that poverty should be the primary eligibility criterion. The govt will provide 40 tonnes of sand free of cost for construction, although many beneficiaries prefer not to live far from the city.Ponguleti reaffirmed the protection of govt land and called for strict action against encroachments. He also stressed the importance of resolving boundary disputes involving revenue and forest lands through joint surveys to prevent future issues.