From forgotten promise to flagship programme…
KCR buried it, Revanth relaunches it
When you think of welfare schemes in undivided Andhra Pradesh, one name instantly strikes a chord with the masses – Indiramma Illu. Launched in 2006 by then Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy (YSR), the scheme focused on not only constructing houses for the underprivileged but also gave dignity to the poor. It symbolised YSR’s realistic vision that was rooted in empathy, where governance meant bringing tangible change to people’s everyday lives.
However, after the formation of Telangana, then Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao (KCR) gradually wound down the scheme, replacing it with his own initiatives. Critics argue that this diluted the original vision and left many beneficiaries in limbo.
Fast forward nearly two decades, the scheme is back in the spotlight, thanks to Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, who has revived it in a big way. And make no mistake, this revival is not an eyewash of administrative housekeeping like the one that the previous BRS regime indulged in; it is a strategic and well-thought-out move to get emotional connection with the people of Telangana.
YSR’s legacy: Beyond four walls and a roof
Back in 2006, Indiramma Illu became a household term across Andhra Pradesh. With lakhs of families receiving housing support, it changed the rural landscape. For the landless poor, it held a sentiment that went beyond ‘four walls and a roof’. Owning a house meant improved status and living standards, social recognition, security, and a sense of belonging. YSR’s scheme was hailed as a model welfare programme, inspiring similar initiatives elsewhere.
But, after the bifurcation in 2014, Telangana took a different path. KCR sidelined the welfare scheme in the new State for his own political mileage. Instead, he floated his own housing initiatives, including the double-bedroom housing scheme. While ambitious on paper, the implementation faltered.
Reports from multiple districts suggested huge backlogs, delays, and political selectivity in allotment. Thousands of families who once expected Indiramma Illu’s continuity were left disappointed.
Enter Revanth Reddy: A revival with upgrades
Cut to 2025, the Congress government is repositioning housing at the centre of its welfare agenda. By reviving Indiramma Illu, Revanth Reddy is doing three things at once:
- Restoring YSR’s emotional connect – Many in Telangana still recall YSR’s welfare governance with nostalgia. Reintroducing his scheme helps Congress reclaim that legacy.
- Correcting KCR’s “unfinished business” – By branding the BRS housing model as ineffective, Congress gains an advantage as the party that delivers what KCR could not.
- Modernising welfare delivery – This time, Indiramma Illu comes with promises of higher financial assistance, time-bound approvals, and tech-enabled transparency.
According to reports, the new phase involves enhanced unit costs (reflecting inflation and construction expenses), streamlined beneficiary identification through digital platforms, and stricter monitoring to prevent political bias. The aim, Revanth says, is to ensure that “no family is left without a roof over its head”.
It’s ‘advantage Congress’ time
Telangana is in the middle of an intense churn. With the BRS reeling under internal crises and BJP trying to expand its base, time is now ripe for Congress to float a welfare scheme that speaks to the masses. Housing is perfect for that – it cuts across caste, religion, and region.
By reviving Indiramma Illu, Revanth Reddy knows is offering continuity with a legacy that people trusted. In contrast, KCR’s double-bedroom scheme, despite its intent, became synonymous with delays and broken promises. That contrast is politically valuable – and turns out to be one that people realise and understand.
The challenges ahead
Of course, revival – especially when planned on a much larger scale – is easier said than done. Telangana’s fiscal situation is stretched, with significant debt servicing obligations. Moreover, today’s socio-economic context is different from 2006. Rising construction costs, urbanisation pressures, and land constraints make implementation more complex.
The Congress government must adapt the scheme to these realities – perhaps through public-private partnerships, innovative financing, or urban housing models. The successful execution and timely delivery of Indiramma Illu 2.0 would mean gaining, and retaining, the trust of people in the Congress government and its style of governance – where people are valued and promises are fulfilled.
Clear message: State stands by people
At its core, Indiramma Illu has always been more than a housing scheme. It was YSR’s way of telling the poor: “You matter, and the State will stand by you.” By reviving it, Revanth Reddy is sending the same message – with a contemporary spin.
In Telangana’s political theatre, where success stories matter as much as numbers, Indiramma Illu’s return could well become Congress’s defining welfare story. If executed well, it has the potential to put roofs over lakhs of heads, besides cementing Revanth’s image as a leader who delivers on the ground while reclaiming a legacy that people still remember with warmth.