Telangana High Court refuses to suspend Indiramma Housing Committees

The Telangana High Court refused to grant interim orders suspending the Indiramma Housing Committees set up for the selection of beneficiaries under the Indiramma Housing Scheme, which was launched by the State government to provide housing for the poor. The two judge Bench, comprising Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Dr G Radha Rani, also clarified that it could not stay the orders of the single judge.

It directed the State government to file a counter to the petition challenging the committees and adjourned further hearings to January 24, 2025. The State government introduced the Indiramma Housing Scheme to provide financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh for the construction of houses for the poor, with an aim of building 4.5 lakh homes in the first phase. To manage the selection of beneficiaries, the government issued a Government Order (GO) on October 11, 2024, forming committees at the village panchayat and municipal ward levels.

These committees, which are to be headed by the local sarpanch or special officer, consist of women from self-help groups and mandatory members from the BC, SC, or ST communities.The formation of these committees was challenged in the High Court by A Nithish Kumar from Nizamabad district and another petitioner. In response, the single judge dismissed the



petition, stating that the government has the discretion to implement the scheme and select beneficiaries based on eligibility criteria, as long as there is no violation of fundamental rights.

Nithish Kumar appealed the single judge’s ruling, arguing that the selection of committee members without specifying qualifications could lead to politically motivated appointments. His lawyer expressed concern that such a process might allow political party workers to be included in the committees, thereby compromising the transparency of the scheme. 

During the hearing, the Additional Advocate General (AAG) for the State, Tera Rajinikanth Reddy, defended the formation of the committees, asserting that the government had the right to decide how to implement the scheme. He emphasised that the process is transparent and free from corruption, and any concerns regarding its execution are addressed by the government. He urged the court not to suspend the committees at this stage, as the beneficiary selection process is already underway. The bench, after hearing the arguments, declined to issue a stay on the committees and directed the state government to file a counter. The court has deferred the next hearing to January 24, 2025.