17 hrs ago
Poor Families to Get Subsidised Cement for Indiramma Houses
The government plans to give cheaper cement to poor families building Indiramma houses.
Each 50-kilogram bag will cost Rs 230 instead of about Rs 310-Rs 320.
The government says it has reached an agreement with cement companies.
It is also working to make steel cheaper.
A lawmaker said the Rs 5 lakh assistance for each house may not be enough.
He said building materials and worker costs have become more expensive.
The government has already approved 800,000 houses in two phases.
Another 11,56,929 houses are awaiting Central approval.
Another lawmaker asked the government to publish beneficiary details so that only eligible families receive help.
Cement will be supplied at Rs 230 per 50-kg bag to poor and low-income families allotted Indiramma houses.
The subsidised price is below the reported market price of Rs 310-Rs 320 per bag.
The government has finalised an agreement with cement companies and is also seeking lower-cost steel.
A Congress MLA urged the government to raise the Rs 5 lakh housing assistance because of rising construction costs.
The government has sanctioned 800,000 houses and is seeking Central approval for 11,56,929 additional houses identified through the Awas App survey.
- Who
- The government, poor and low-income Indiramma house beneficiaries, ministers Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy and D. Sridhar Babu, and legislators including Komatireddy Raj Gopal Reddy and Akbaruddin Owaisi.
- What
- A subsidised cement supply scheme will provide 50-kilogram bags at Rs 230, while the government also considers cheaper steel and expanded housing assistance.
- Where
- The announcement was made in the Assembly in Hyderabad; Indiramma Towers are planned across 20 constituencies in the Hyderabad region.
- When
- The announcement was made during Question Hour on Thursday, and the cement scheme is to be implemented soon.
- Why
- The measures are intended to reduce construction costs for poor families, while legislators cited rising material, masonry, and labour expenses.
Government Expansion and Support
Adequacy and Transparency Concerns
Housing assistance
Government Expansion and Support
The government is expanding housing support through subsidised cement, planned lower-cost steel, 800,000 sanctioned houses, and proposed Indiramma Towers.
Adequacy and Transparency Concerns
Komatireddy Raj Gopal Reddy said the Rs 5 lakh assistance is insufficient because construction materials, masonry, and labour have become more expensive.
Beneficiary selection
Government Expansion and Support
The government said beneficiaries for Indiramma Towers were selected through a lottery in 16 constituencies, with physical verification completed.
Adequacy and Transparency Concerns
Akbaruddin Owaisi warned that ineligible people could benefit and asked the government to publish beneficiary details, particularly to ensure assistance reaches underprivileged SC, ST, and minority communities.
Key facts
- Subsidised cement price
- Rs 230 per 50-kg bag
- Reported market price
- Rs 310-Rs 320 per 50-kg bag
- Current housing assistance
- Rs 5 lakh per house
- Houses sanctioned
- 800,000 houses across two phases
- Project allocation
- Approximately Rs 40,000 crore
- Houses awaiting Central approval
- 11,56,929 houses identified through the Awas App survey
- Indiramma Towers pilot
- Planned across 20 constituencies in the Hyderabad region










