Housing scam: TDP government helpless in the face of recovering money from culprits

Funds were withdrawn in the name of victims without their knowledge, says vigilance committee.
Housing scam: TDP government helpless in the face of recovering money from culprits

KOCHI: Except for suspending a few officials responsible for the alleged irregularities in the housing scheme during the 10-year regime of the Congress, the Telugu Desam government, which ordered an inquiry into the issue, has not taken any other action. The government, which has ignored the housing sector for the last three years in the name of inquiry into the housing scam, however, expedited the process of sanctioning and constructing houses from this fiscal.The vigilance committee, which is probing into the scam, has already submitted a report, mentioning that funds to the tune of `4,150 crore have been misappropriated in the name of constructing 14.40 lakh houses during the decade-long ruling of the Congress. The government, which has been busy bashing the Congress over the irregularities, appears to be lagging behind in pursuing a definite approach to initiate action for recovering the money from the culprits.


None other than Housing Minister Kalava Srinivasulu have already said that it is not possible for the government to go ahead with recovering money from those involved in the housing scam in the previous government. “As per records, money was withdrawn in the name of beneficiaries. But, neither are the beneficiaries aware of the sanctioning of houses nor about the individuals who withdrew the funds without their knowledge,’’ the Minister said.“In case the government plans to recover the money, it has to be recovered from those who had sanctioned the houses in the previous government. And in such a case, the beneficiaries will become the victims as they were unaware of the sanctioning of houses and funds for construction from the government,” he said.
 

2 lakh houses to be built by October 2 
Vijayawada:
The government has fixed a target to complete the construction of at least 2 lakh houses under NTR Rural Housing scheme by October 2 which is being observed as World Habitation Day. Rural Housing Minister Kalava Srinivasulu on Thursday said that foundation stone laying ceremony would also be held for 5 lakh houses at the earliest. As part of the target to construct 10 lakh houses for the poor, he said that the government had expedited the process of identifying beneficiaries. Stating that they have set a target to sanction 2 lakh houses each in the 2017 - 18 and 2018 - 19 fiscals, the Minister said that they will also take up the identification of beneficiaries for 2018 - 19 fiscal and will also make the payment for construction of houses by sanctioning additional budget.

Major lapse 
A4,150 crore 
Housing scheme funds misappropriated during the 10-year Congress rule 
14.40 lakh 
No. of houses to be built as part of the project 

In case the govt plans to recover the money, it has to be recovered from those who had sanctioned the houses in the previous government. And in such a case, the beneficiaries will become the victims as the money was withdrawn on their name and they did not even know about it  
Kalava Srinivasulu, Housing Minister

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