Indiramma housing selection faces local protests over bypassed committees

Selection Controversy

The selection process for Indiramma houses in the state faces heavy criticism over claims that local committees are being bypassed. The government aims to build a state without huts by giving houses to poor families in phases. Officials recently started picking beneficiaries for the second phase and set up Indiramma committees led by the sarpanch at the village level. However, reports show that lists are being prepared in some villages without telling the committee heads.

Dharmasagar Issues

The issue has sparked fresh debate in Dharmasagar mandal. Committee members previously resigned after claiming officials ignored them and picked beneficiaries without their approval. Locals now report that outsiders are interfering in the selection process and pushing the sarpanch to include specific names. Critics also question the allotment of houses to people living in huts near the sub-station, noting that many already own permanent houses elsewhere or have migrated from other villages.

Broken Promises And Neglect

The local MLA initially promised to grant 100 Indiramma houses after first mentioning 50, but reports indicate only 60 houses are now being sanctioned with a list of 60 beneficiaries requested instead. Meanwhile, victims of the Montha cyclone whose homes collapsed a year ago have allegedly been left out due to local pressure and official negligence. A victim stated that the collector called the Dharmasagar MPDO to grant a house after a grievance was filed, but the MPDO allegedly failed to act and did not answer phone calls.

Context

Indiramma housing schemes form part of broader state-level welfare efforts aimed at providing permanent shelter to families living in huts and inadequate housing across rural and urban areas. Local administrative bodies like mandal offices and village committees typically manage the ground-level verification to ensure benefits reach genuine applicants. Delays and disputes in such beneficiary selections often arise when local political pressures clash with official guidelines.