The Hindu                08.05.2013

Indiramma housing unit cost raised

Rs. 105-crore bail-out package for Rajiv Swagruha Corporation.

The unit cost under Indiramma housing programme has been enhanced for open category (upper castes) and Backward Classes from Rs 45,000 to Rs 70,000 in rural areas and from Rs 55,000 to Rs 80,000 in urban areas, including Nagara Panchayats.

Proposals submitted to this effect by the Housing Department were approved by Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy while reviewing the issues relating to housing and Rajiv Swagruha Corporation here on Tuesday.

Infra facilities on priority

Housing Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy later told reporters that the unit cost for the SC/ST Indiramma beneficiaries had already been raised to Rs 1 lakh and Rs 1.2 lakh, respectively. Now, infrastructure facilities such as roads and electricity/water supply would be provided to Indiramma SC and ST colonies on a priority basis at a huge cost of Rs 1,050 crore drawn from the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS).

B. Venkatesam, MD, AP State Housing Corporation, sought additional funds required following hike in unit cost for others, while the extra money for the dwelling units of SCs and STs would be provided through their sub-plans.

Probe to be ordered

The Chief Minister agreed to provide an assistance of Rs. 105 crore as part of a bail-out package envisaged to place Rajiv Swagruha Corporation back on the track for its revival. An inquiry would be ordered into the alleged irregularities committed in the corporation to punish those found guilty. As per the recommendations of the Cabinet Sub-Committee on the matter, housing projects taken up at Rayachoti, Kurnool, Anantapur, Rajampet and Chandanagar would be expedited, the Minister said.

Ambitious plan

District-level committees would be constituted headed by joint collectors with Social Welfare deputy directors, and directors of housing projects and DRDA as members, to solve the problems encountered in allotment of house sites to beneficiaries. It would ascertain the extent of land acquired in the past 10 years for distribution as house sites and how much out of this remained unused now.

Mr Uttam Kumar Reddy said in line with the target fixed earlier, over 8.64 lakh houses would be constructed this year in the State.