YSRCP slams govt apathy towards Rural workers

 Tadepalli, April 25:  YSRCP Panchayati Raj Wing State President Vennupusa Ravindra Reddy strongly criticized Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan for celebrating Panchayati Raj Day while over 11 weeks of MGNREGS wages remain unpaid. He questioned how poor labourers, especially in drought-hit regions like Rayalaseema and North Andhra, are expected to celebrate when they haven’t received their rightful earnings since February 6. 
Despite Pemmāsani Chandrasekhar being the Union Minister of State for Rural Development, the NDA coalition government in the state has failed to clear wage dues, pushing lakhs of workers into migration. Ravindra Reddy accused TDP leaders of massive corruption in the appointment of Mates under the employment scheme, collecting bribes of up to Rs. 15 lakh per post and drawing fake wages using forged signatures, while genuine workers are sidelined. With no new jobs initiated from April 1 and old bills still unpaid, the state’s 47 lakh active job card holders are left in distress. He also highlighted that the Ombudsman system meant to check corruption in MGNREGS has been defunct for nine months, and even pro-TDP media like Andhra Jyothy has raised this concern. 
Ravindra Reddy condemned the diversion of Panchayati Raj funds, with Rs. 500 crore transferred out and Rs. 1,120 crore from the 15th Finance Commission not deposited into local body accounts. He further decried political targeting of Sarpanches, including the revocation of cheque-signing powers without due process, and the withdrawal of security from ZP Chairpersons, violating G.O. Ms No. 431 issued by Chandrababu himself in 1997. He demanded immediate wage disbursal, reinstatement of local body powers, reactivation of Ombudsman oversight, and restoration of gunmen to ZP Chairpersons. 
A government which cannot ensure basic livelihoods has no moral right to celebrate Panchayati Raj Day, he said.