Many Hamlets Lack Basic Infrastructure, Says Revanth

Hyderabad: Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy said on Wednesday that tribal hamlets, which have been granted gram panchayat status, are lacking basic infrastructure like roads, schools, and drinking water.

During a discussion on the status of gram panchayats, he stated, "Many hamlets lack roads, schools, and Anganwadi school buildings. We will lay tar roads to connect them with mandal centres, which will, in turn, be connected to district centres and Hyderabad via four-lane roads."

The government reported that 1,851 habitations and thandas were converted into gram panchayats in the state, with matching grants provided for development activities. Funds for gram panchayats were rounded off to address shortfalls below Rs 5 lakhs, and a panchayat secretary was appointed for each gram panchayat. The government also provided tractors, trolleys, tankers, nurseries, Palle Prakruthi Vanams, segregation sheds, and crematoriums to these areas.

Regarding the status of recognising RTC staff as government employees, the government stated that the modalities for their absorption are being worked out, with the proposal currently under examination.

Transport minister Ponnam Prabhakar responded to BRS MLA T. Harish Rao's query on the delay in assimilation, noting that the RTC had suffered under the previous BRS government and was merged into the government without adequate consultation. He also mentioned that the CPI MLA Kunamneni Sambasiva Rao called for the early recognition of the RTC trade union by the current government.