Bhadrachalam–Kothagudem, Indiramma housing beneficiaries hit by a syndicate shock burden rises by one lakh rupees.
The government-announced Indiramma Housing Scheme, which was expected to fulfill the dream of a permanent house for poor families, has now turned into a heavy burden for the district’s underprivileged. With brick prices skyrocketing over the last six months, poor families are worried that they cannot build a house even with the government’s financial support. Beneficiaries allege that brick-kiln owners have formed a single syndicate, creating artificial scarcity and raising prices uncontrollably.
● Prices shoot up steeply an extra one lakh burden on the poor.
According to the beneficiaries, six months ago, a tractor load of bricks (about 2,000 bricks) cost around ₹10,000–₹11,000. But now, the same tractor load is being sold for up to ₹18,000. Earlier (per tractor): ₹10,000–₹11,000
Now (per tractor): Up to ₹18,000. An Indiramma house typically requires 8 to 10 tractor loads. With the steep price hike, each beneficiary is now forced to bear an additional burden of ₹70,000 to ₹80,000. When combined with the rising prices of other construction materials like cement and steel, the burden crosses ₹1,00,000 causing deep concern among the poor. ‘We were happy when the Indiramma house was sanctioned. But when we look at the brick prices, our hearts skip a beat. By the time the government funds reached us, the brick prices doubled. At these rates, no poor person can build a house. How can we build walls with such expensive bricks?’ lamented a beneficiary from Lakshmidevipalli.
● A ‘syndicate’ racket with officials’ support..??
Allegations are pouring in that brick manufacturers in Kothagudem, Lakshmidevipalli, Chunchupalli, Aswapuram, and Manuguru areas have formed a syndicate to prevent prices from coming down. Due to this syndicate, the same high price is being enforced across the entire district. Criticism is mounting that there is a lack of monitoring by local mining and related departments, both regarding price control and supervising illegal brick manufacturing. Illegal soil excavation, operation of brick kilns without permits, electricity theft, and burning forest wood have long been associated with this syndicate, further strengthening its illegal operations.
A plea from the poor to the government, The government’s goal of fulfilling the poor man’s dream of a permanent home is being shattered by these abnormal price hikes. Indiramma housing beneficiaries urge the state government to intervene immediately. Price Control Committee A district-level price control committee should be set up immediately to bring brick prices back to earlier levels. Special Subsidy, The government should supply bricks required for Indiramma house construction and provide them at subsidized rates under a special program. Crackdown on the Syndicate Strict action must be taken against manufacturers who have illegally formed a syndicate and are hiking prices. If brick prices continue to rise due to syndicate operations, poor families will be unable to build homes, defeating the very purpose of the government scheme.
To protect the hopes of the poor and uphold the objectives of the housing program, beneficiaries request that the government respond swiftly and ensure that bricks are made available at affordable prices.