AP takes steps to weed out bogus housing beneficiaries

Hyderabad, May 25 (UNI) In a step to weed out bogus housing beneficiaries under the INDIRAMMA programme, the Andhra Pradesh Government today announced Rs 1,000 as a reward for those who informed the names of such people to the government.

Briefing newsmen after a review meeting on weaker section housing in the state, Minister for Home and Housing K Jana Reddy said some news reports suggested bogus beneficiaries were taking advantage of the scheme and the Opposition was accusing the government of corruption.

Stating there were bound to be some mistakes in such huge schemes, Mr Reddy said, ''We are here to rectify them and do justice to genuine persons.'' He said complaints could be forwarded to District Collector. The government would not disclose the informers' details.

''The government is very transparent in every aspect of weaker section housing in the state,'' he stressed.

Mr Reddy said this year the government planned to construct 18.55 lakh houses under INDIRAMMA of which 16.30 lakh units will be located in the rural areas.

Mr Reddy said the government had allocated Rs 500 crore this year for housing and already Rs 125 crore had been released to the districts.

The Minister claimed such massive allocation had never been done for housing in the last 30 years.

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