With an eye on the 2023 assembly elections, the ruling TRS is planning to implement its poll promise of extending 3 lakh financial assistance for construction of own houses to people who own relatively small parcels of land.
The plan is to implement the welfare scheme state-wide early next year. Officials are also working on rules and guidelines for implementation of the scheme.
TRS had promised financial assistance as construction of 2-BHK units was getting delayed and the number of people seeking housing was far more than the units being constructed.
Though the ruling party had actually said it would extend 5 lakh financial assistance, the amount was reduced to 3 lakh later to cover more beneficiaries. Political analysts said people could expect other welfare schemes too such as Aasara pensions being extended to new categories of people aged between 57 and 65 years, new ration cards being given to all the eligible to be implemented in 2023, the election year.
If elections are held as per schedule to the Telangana assembly, they are due in December 2023. Even if the elections are held early, it would be in 2023 itself. KCR had announced that the government initially plans to extend 3 lakh financial help to as many as 3,000 beneficiaries in each of the 119 assembly constituencies in the state.
Also, another 43,000 houses will be made available for allocation by the chief minister under special circumstances, including displacement of people and those affected by natural calamities.
However, TRS MLAs and ministers are under tremendous pressure from people to increase the number of beneficiaries in every assembly constituency.
Given the fact that the TRS government found it difficult to identify suitable land parcels in every town and city to construct 2-BHKs, several people, who own even 40 square yards of patta land, have been demanding that 3 lakh financial assistance be given to them.
A senior official said final touches were being given to the guidelines in identifying beneficiaries, extent of land, category and nature of land.
