BJP, CPI (M) allege irregularities in 2BHK houses beneficiaries’ selection in Kothagudem

BJP and CPI(M) leaders alleged irregularities in the selection of beneficiaries for 214 double-bedroom houses in Kothagudem. While officials defended the draw-of-lots process as per government guidelines, BJP leaders questioned the minority quota and selection procedure, and CPI(M) raised concerns over incomplete houses and alleged political interference.

Kothagudem: BJP and CPI (M) leaders have complained of irregularities in the selection of double bedroom house beneficiaries in Kothagudem.

The officials stated that out of 756 double-bedroom houses in Kothagudem mandal, the selection of beneficiaries for 542 houses has already been completed. The remaining 214 houses were allocated in accordance with the guidelines laid down in GO MS. No. 10.

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Of the 214 houses, 36 houses (17 percent) were allocated for SCs, 13 houses (6 percent) for STs, 139 houses (65 percent) for BC and OC categories and 26 houses (12 percent for minorities. Within this allocation, 203 houses were designated for the general category, while 11 were reserved for persons with disabilities.

As there were over 2,500 eligible applicants for the 214 houses, the selection was carried out through a draw of lots, as it was impossible to allocate homes to everyone simultaneously, the officials said. Kothagudem MLA Kunamneni Sambasiva Rao and district Collector Ankit monitored the draw of lots to allot the double bedroom houses.

However, Bharatiya Janata Party district president Byreddy Prabhakar Reddy questioned the local MLA regarding the procedure wherein houses were allotted through a draw of lots, terming the process undemocratic and unconstitutional.

He condemned the allocation of 12 percent of the houses to the Muslim minority community as an unjust act, stating that it caused severe inequity to the Backward Classes (BCs), who constitute over 50 percent of the population.

Prabhakar Reddy argued that allocating 12 percent of the houses based on religion-based reservation was unconstitutional and contrary to the vision of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. This led to a heated debate between the MLA and the BJP leader.

The BJP leader alleged that Sambasiva Rao displayed extreme intolerance and verbally abused him using harsh language simply because he questioned the injustice being done to BC communities.

On the other hand, CPI (M) State committee member Annavarapu Kanakaiah complained that the distribution of houses was based on dubious figures and many of the houses were still incomplete. He alleged that the MLA acted for political gains.