Slow progress in housing scheme, admits Kanna

HYDERABAD: The state government is committed to reach the target of constructing six lakh houses during the current financial year under the Indiramma Housing scheme, minister for housing Kanna Lakshminarayana said. He added that the rumours that the housing scheme had been put on hold was not true but admitted that the work was not going on expected lines.At a press conference here on Monday, he said the reasons for it was the rise in the cost of materials like cement and steel. The cement companies were not supplying cement to the government as they demanded higher prices, thus delaying the progress of works, the minister said.He added that the construction for about one lakh houses has been completed. It has also been decided to electrify all the houses under the scheme and provide infrastructure like drinking water, sewerage lines and roads by the end of the year. Due to non release of payments, some contractors have held up the works demanding releasing of pending dues. The minister clarified that the payment system is being decentralised and instructions have been issued to sanction the amount at the district level itself.He also warned that action would be taken under Revenue Recovery Act against the beneficiaries who have not cleared their dues. Around 2,000 cases of misuse have been booked already.