TELANGANA HC ISSUES NOTICES OVER ALLEGED GRAFT IN HOUSING SCHEME
The Telangana High Court has initiated proceedings against state officials, including the Chief Secretary and the Principal Secretary of the Housing Department, demanding an explanation for alleged irregularities in the implementation of the 'Indiramma Housing Scheme' in Mulugu district. This action stems from a letter penned by a woman from the district, detailing what she describes as "large-scale irregularities" in the allotment process. The court has treated this letter as a Public Interest Litigation (PIL), signaling a serious engagement with the accusations.
The woman's petition alleges a systemic failure to conduct genuine surveys to identify those in need. Instead, she claims officials at mandal and village levels are demanding sums ranging from ₹50,000 to ₹1 lakh for house allotments. She further charges that local political figures are leveraging the scheme to amass wealth, describing it as a "perpetual source of income." In a particularly disturbing accusation, the woman suggests that some of these collected funds are being channeled into 'micro finance loans' at exorbitant interest rates. The High Court, a division bench comprising Justice P Shyam Koshy and Justice Nandikowska Narsing Rao, has formally issued notices seeking responses from the government and other implicated authorities.
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BACKGROUND OF ALLEGED CORRUPTION
The allegations paint a picture of a housing program ostensibly designed for the poor, becoming a vehicle for financial exploitation. The core of the complaint rests on the alleged disregard for genuine need, replaced by a demand for illicit payments. The use of such funds for micro-lending at exploitative rates adds another layer to the purported corruption.
This situation in Telangana echoes broader concerns about governance and transparency in public projects. While the focus is currently on the 'Indiramma Housing Scheme', similar judicial scrutiny has recently been observed in other contexts.
The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court, for instance, has taken note of rampant corruption in co-operative housing societies, leading to an FIR against former office bearers. This case involves allegations of fake memberships and illegal plot allocations. Separately, the Madras High Court has overturned the discharge of a DMK Minister, I Periyasamy, from a corruption case, ordering day-to-day trials and emphasizing swift judicial process. These instances collectively suggest a climate where judicial bodies are actively investigating and challenging alleged malfeasance in various sectors, including housing and governance.
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