Andhra Pradesh

Estimates panel raps APHB

HYDERABAD: The Estimates Committee of the Assembly has directed the Andhra Pradesh Housing Board (APHB) to furnish details of the lands that had been auctioned by it for commercial purpose.

Expressing strong displeasure at the functioning of the Housing Department at a meeting here on Thursday, the committee headed by B. Vedavyas asked officials to prepare a report on the lands disposed by it in auctions till date.

They also sought a list from the Housing Board on joint ventures it had entered for development of the lands.

Members were irked by the manner in which lands were auctioned by the APHB without fulfilling its objective of constructing houses for the lower, middle and higher income groups. Sources said a member confronted the officials as to why they were not taking up construction of houses in the twin cities to fulfil the aspirations of the people to own a house at affordable prices.

Another area that drew criticism was the frequent complaints from beneficiaries of the Rajiv Gruhakalpa houses that they are forced to occupy the flats that are constructed far away from their workplaces.

Panel members queried why the Government could not identify lands and take up construction of houses for the poor where they were currently residing.

Severe shortage of technical staff to oversee the construction of houses under the Indiramma scheme also cropped up during the meeting. Officials expressed helplessness to take up massive construction of the weaker section housing with limited staff. They reportedly complained that each work inspector was forced to supervise construction of 10,000 to 15,000 houses at a time.

When officials lamented that there was short supply of cement, some members suggested that the State Government could explore the possibility of setting up a cement plant.

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