In a major boost to affordable housing, cement manufacturers will now supply cement at just ₹230 per bag for the Indiramma Houses scheme in Telangana.
- Cement prices slashed from market rate of ₹340 to ₹230 per bag.
- Decision taken following request by Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy.
- First phase saw 4.5 lakh houses sanctioned across Telangana.
- Second phase to include 2.5 lakh additional houses.
In a decisive move to ease the financial burden on low-income families, the cement industry has agreed to provide cement bags at a highly subsidized rate of ₹230 per bag for the construction of Indiramma Houses in Telangana. This initiative aims to ensure that the state's flagship housing scheme remains economically viable for its beneficiaries.
The decision comes as a direct response to the intervention by the Housing and Revenue Minister, Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy. Currently, the commercial market dictates a price of approximately ₹340 per bag, with fluctuations based on bulk purchases. This massive price reduction of nearly 32% will provide immediate relief to thousands of families.
Why This Matters
Many beneficiaries of the Indiramma housing scheme had reported exceeding the ₹5 lakh government subsidy due to the skyrocketing costs of essential construction materials. BozokMedia analysis shows that by capping the cost of cement, the government is effectively increasing the real value of the subsidy provided to each household. This move prevents construction stalls caused by sudden price hikes in the commodities market.
Subsidizing core construction materials like cement is the most effective way to ensure the timely completion of social welfare housing projects.
Project Scale and Implementation
The scale of the Indiramma housing project is immense. Under the first phase of implementation, excluding Hyderabad, 4.5 lakh houses were sanctioned across the state. Current progress reports indicate that 85% of these houses have already had their slabs laid, while the remaining 15% are in various ongoing stages of construction.
Looking ahead, the government is aggressively expanding the program. According to a press note released on Tuesday, the second phase of the scheme has been sanctioned for an additional 2.5 lakh houses. To ensure equitable distribution, the government has allocated 2,000 houses to each Assembly constituency.
| Component | Commercial Market Price | Indiramma Scheme Price |
|---|---|---|
| Cement per Bag | ~₹340 | ₹230 |
| Direct Savings | - | ₹110 per bag |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much will beneficiaries save on cement?
Beneficiaries will save approximately ₹110 per bag compared to the standard commercial market rate.
2. How many houses are sanctioned in the second phase?
A total of 2.5 lakh houses have been sanctioned for the second phase, with 2,000 houses per constituency.
