Pawan Kalyan Highlights NDA's Focus on Rural Development, Criticizes YSRCP's Negligence of Gram Panchayats

Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Panchayat Raj and Rural Development, K. Pawan Kalyan, has emphasized the stark difference between the NDA government's dedication to making villages self-reliant and progressive, and the YSR Congress Party's (YSRCP) neglect of the Gram Panchayats (GPs). He remarked that while Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu is guiding the state through multiple crises, the YSRCP has diverted crucial funds meant for the development of rural areas under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS).

Speaking at the launch of 30,000 development projects in 13,326 villages under MGNREGS, totaling ₹4,500 crore, as part of the "Palle Panduga" initiative in Punadipadu, Krishna district, Pawan Kalyan criticized the YSRCP for its alleged misuse of funds allocated for village development. He highlighted that many hesitate to question the ruling party’s actions due to fear of intimidation.

Kalyan expressed confidence in the alliance between Jana Sena, Telugu Desam Party (TDP), and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), saying that it has yielded tangible results for the people of Andhra Pradesh. "Under the leadership of Mr. Naidu and with the support of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Gram Panchayats are witnessing a level of development that hasn’t been seen in decades," Kalyan stated. He pointed out that resolutions to carry out development works in GPs were passed in all 13,326 villages on August 23, setting a world record for the most Grama Sabhas held on a single day.

He further added that the NDA government has been working on creating essential infrastructure in rural areas, including roads, drainage systems, school compounds, parks, and sanitation facilities. The government aims to provide 25.50 crore workdays and 100 days of employment to eight lakh families in the current financial year.

In Kankipadu, 11 cement roads will be laid at a cost of ₹95.15 lakh, a compound wall is being constructed around the Punadipadu CHC at a cost of ₹54 lakh, and two cement roads are being built for ₹52 lakh.

The event also saw the participation of Excise and Mines & Geology Minister Kollu Ravindra, Machilipatnam MP Vallabhaneni Balashowry, MLAs Bode Prasad, Varla Kumar Raja, Kagitha Krishna Prasad, Venigandla Ramu, MLC P. Hariprasad, Principal Secretary for PR&RD Shashibhushan Kumar, and Commissioner M.V.R. Krishna Teja.