Hyderabad: The Telangana government has introduced a new regulation under the Indiramma Housing Scheme, mandating that houses must be constructed within a size range of 400 to 600 square feet. The decision has led to confusion and dissatisfaction among several beneficiaries, particularly those who had already begun construction beyond the stipulated area.
In the first phase of the scheme, the government approved the construction of 70,122 houses across the state. Of these, 2,830 beneficiaries have reportedly completed the foundation stage. However, officials have identified that over 280 beneficiaries initiated construction exceeding the 600 sq ft limit. As a result, authorities have withheld the first installment of Rs 1 lakh, stating that payments will only be released once the foundations are modified in accordance with the new guidelines.
ALSO READ: Jio Launches Akshaya Tritiya Offer: Up to 2% Extra Digital Gold on Select Purchases
Originally, the government had assured that beneficiaries with their own land could build houses in a size of their choice and would receive Rs 5 lakh in financial support. Although model house designs were provided, there were no mandatory size restrictions communicated at the time.
The recent enforcement of a 400–600 sq ft size limit has caused concern among beneficiaries, many of whom claim they are investing additional funds to expand their homes. Officials have clarified that constructions exceeding 600 sq ft may disqualify recipients from being classified under the Below Poverty Line (BPL) category, making them ineligible for the scheme.
According to the Housing Department, the standard area for Indiramma houses was initially set at 400 sq ft, with an additional 200 sq ft later approved, bringing the upper limit to 600 sq ft. With the second beneficiary list expected to be released by May 5, housing officials have been instructed to widely publicize the revised area restrictions to ensure clarity and compliance across all districts.