Ponguleti announces ₹1 lakh relief for Indiramma house basement structures exceeding limit
HYDERABAD: Telangana Minister for Housing Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy has announced a one-time relief of ₹1 lakh for Indiramma house beneficiaries whose construction slightly exceeds the mandated 600 square feet limit—provided the structure is complete only up to the basement level.
Speaking at a certification ceremony for 390 newly trained Assistant Engineers in the housing department, Minister Ponguleti said the Indiramma housing scheme strictly permits construction within 400 to 600 sq.ft. Any building beyond this limit is normally held ineligible for payments. However, under the current pilot project, a temporary relaxation is being offered.
The minister stated that around 300 such homes across Telangana have exceeded the size norm but have completed only the basement. “Instead of demolishing these partially built homes, the government will release ₹1 lakh for now,” he said. However, he clarified that further construction will only be approved—and paid for—if it conforms to the 600 sq.ft. ceiling.
Ponguleti emphasised that this exemption is applicable only to homes under the pilot phase of the Indiramma housing initiative.
The minister assured that artificial intelligence is being fully utilised to ensure transparency in house allotment and construction progress tracking. “Every home is being monitored. We are processing payments in four phases, and only after each phase is verified,” he explained.
He also stressed that no amount of political pressure—including from himself—would influence payment processing. “Even if I, as the minister, call, do not process bills unless the work from Phase-1 to Phase-4 is complete,” Ponguleti told engineers.
He revealed plans to introduce a toll-free number for public complaints regarding irregularities in the scheme. “Even a minor complaint will trigger action. Tell us where the error occurred, and we’ll take responsibility,” he assured.
Ponguleti urged engineers to protect the department’s reputation and ensure only genuine beneficiaries receive homes. He reminded them that the housing department must be known for transparency, efficiency, and social impact.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to empowering the poor through housing, noting that each eligible family deserves a home, and any deviation from that goal would not be tolerated.