Telangana ministers S Niranjan Reddy, Srinivas Goud and Errabelli Dayakar Rao today addressed the concerns raised by the sarpanches of the state regarding the TRS government's "limited interested" in rural development.
Speaking at a developmental program held in Mahbubnagar, where several rural local body leaders had gathered to protest the government's "failure" to provide funds for village development, the three ministers claimed that Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao was offering adequate funds to Telangana's villages.
The TRS leaders asked the protesting leaders to believe in the CM, and assured them that the rural bodies would receive timely funds.
"The TRS government is deeply invested in developing the rural areas of Telangana. Despite the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, which hit the state's economy badly, we continued to support the panchayats. We assure you that the rural developmental funds will always be released in a timely fashion. Any other issues that you might be facing will also be addressed soon. Our government offered funds worth Rs 308 crore funds to the village panchayats. Use these funds wisely to expand rural green cover, clean and manage dumping yards, and build vaikuntha dhamas and other amenities. This will ensure that the rural populace enjoys a high standard of living," they said.
They also highlighted the several projects undertaken by the government, including the construction and setting up of 2,601 Rythu Vedikas, and asked the sarpanches to continue to work in collaboration with the government to improve rural life.
"Local leaders, sarpanches and other officials should work together for the villages' development. We assure you that we will also support you, and look into the issues you are facing," he said.
The ministers also asked the concerned officials to release funds for the panchayats at the earliest, and to expedite any pending rural projects as well.
The TRS government has faced a lot of criticism for "neglecting" the sarpanches of the state. The Congress had even accused it of
"harassing" them.