Andhra Pradesh: Gram Sabhas to be held in 13,326 panchayats on August 23
The people of each gram panchayat would take decisions on development works that are to be undertaken through the national employment guarantee scheme in their village, he said at a media meet here on Thursday.
The deputy CM explained that as part of the MGNREGS, 87 types of works will be taken up in villages with a fund of Rs 4,500 crore.
Pawan Kalyan explained that a grand plan will be implemented to provide work to 54 lakh families through 9 crore working days. The scheme is being implemented under the joint auspices of the Panchayat Raj and Rural Development departments, he said.
He recalled, "Andhra Pradesh was the second state to have started the Panchayat system three decades ago. We are currently conducting a survey on the water condition in the panchayats. It so far covered 22 lakh houses. We will proceed to solve the water problem according to a specific plan.”
The deputy CM said everyone should take the responsibility for making the panchayats self-reliant as Mahatma Gandhi had envisioned. The Panchayats were weakened during the past five years, he said, adding NREGA funds of Rs 40,579 crore were received by the state during 2019-2023, but these funds were not properly utilised.
He stated, “During the 2014-19 period, the income of panchayats in AP was Rs 240 crore. In the 2019-23 period, this income has decreased to Rs 170 crore due to “wrong governmental policies.”
PK said, “We will recognise the uniqueness of each panchayat and generate revenue for them accordingly. Flowers of Anandapuram in Visakhapatnam district are famous. Araku coffee is unique. Mangalagiri sarees, Lepakshi in Sathyasai district, Vetapalem village in Bapatla, Chilakalapudi and Kondapalli in Krishna district are famous for handicrafts.”
“We will identify such aspects and decide in the gram sabhas on ways to promote them. We can create wealth by exporting manufactured goods and foodstuffs. Youth and women should also participate in gram sabhas. I want more women to participate in the activities of panchayats,” Pawan Kalyan stressed.
