Amaravati: Deputy Chief Minister and Panchayati Raj Minister Pawan Kalyan announced a statewide initiative to empower villages by holding gram sabhas in all 13,326 panchayats on August 23. He urged women and youth to actively participate in these meetings, where villagers will discuss and decide on essential local projects.
The state plans to undertake 87 different works under the employment guarantee scheme with a budget of Rs 4,500 crore.
Pawan Kalyan criticized the previous YSRCP government, stating that despite receiving Rs 40,579 crore between 2019 and 2023 under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, the results were not visible. He highlighted the need for better social audits and proposed appointing a senior police officer to oversee the process.
Additionally, the government plans to develop branding for unique local products like Mangalagiri sarees and Araku coffee to increase panchayat revenues.
He also stressed the importance of worker safety and environmental protection in industries, with plans to implement a special action plan within three months.
