Narayana announces probe into irregularities at TIDCO

Vijayawada:Municipal Administration Minister P. Narayana announced in the State Legislative Assembly that the AP government will order an inquiry into the TIDCO (Township and Infrastructure Development Corporation) housing irregularities committed during the previous YSRC regime.

Replying to a brief discussion on malpractices in TIDCO houses after a notice from 18 MLAs, he assured that the Telugu Desam government is focusing on expediting construction of TIDCO houses.

The minister disclosed that efforts are on to secure ₹5,200 crore in loans from HUDCO or other banks. He said an inquiry will be conducted into the irregularities in the selection of beneficiaries and payments of DDs to banks during the tenure of the previous government.

Narayana explained that under the leadership of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, significant efforts are being made to provide homes to the underprivileged by designing housing projects under the gated community concept. He pointed out that the state government has received approval from the central government for construction of 7,14,481 houses.

Both the central and state governments will contribute ₹1.5 lakh each per house, besides providing ₹90,000 per house for infrastructure development, he said.

The minister said that as per the central government’s original designs, houses were planned on plots of 300 square meters. But some beneficiaries had asked for bigger houses, while some were looking for units of 360 and 430 square meters. It cost ₹5.65 lakh for a 300 sq ft house, ₹6.65 lakh for a 360 sq ft house and ₹7.65 lakh for a 430 sq ft house.

Narayana said contractors are waiting for payment of ₹540 crore in outstanding bills. He said a committee will be formed to resolve the contractor issues.

The minister said an investigation is underway into the removal of some beneficiaries from the housing list, except in cases where DDs have been paid but not deposited in banks.