Telangana: 4 years after poll vow, K Chandrasekhar Rao plans rollout of 3 lakh grant

HYDERABAD: Four years after storming back to power, the TRS government is giving final touches to chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao’s flagship scheme of extending financial aid to the homeless, who own a piece of land. The scheme, which was part of TRS’ 2018 election manifesto, entails a financial aid of 3lakh for construction of houses.
While Opposition leaders criticised the KCR government for reneging on its promise of 5lakh aid to plot owners, political analysts said more welfare schemes could be on the anvil in the run-up to 2023 assembly polls.

The 3lakh grant was offered as demand for 2BHK units escalated and the government failed to complete the project. Also, it faced hurdles in acquiring land parcels for the project near habitations as beneficiaries were unwilling to shift to far-flung areas, away from their workplace.
A senior official said, modalities are being hammered out to include beneficiaries, who own a patta or any other legitimate piece of land measuring less than 50 square yards in cities or towns and 70 square yards in rural areas. However, chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao will take the final call when guidelines are put before him.
Keeping in view the continuing stand-off between the state and Central government over buying paddy, funds allocation and other issues, officials are ensuring the 3lakh housing aid guidelines follow norms of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. This is being ensured to receive Central funds towards housing for poor. The Telangana government wants to tap these Central funds to extend the 3lakh financial assistance scheme to as many homeless poor as possible.
KCR decided to extend the grant, following representations from ministers, MLAs and MLCs, who pressed for 2BHK houses or financial assistance to plot owners, who can build their own houses.
Under this scheme, the government initially plans to extend 3lakh each to 3,000 beneficiaries in 119 Assembly constituencies. Also, 43,000 houses would be made available for allocation by the chief minister under special circumstances, including displacement of people and those affected by natural calamities.