Hyderabad, Mar 30 (TNT): BJP Telangana State president N. Ramchander Rao on Monday demanded that the State government immediately release Central funds meant for Gram Panchayats and clear all pending dues to sarpanches.
He made the demand after meeting representatives of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the Telangana State Sarpanchs’ Association at the BJP state office here.
The JAC members submitted a memorandum seeking the party’s support for their demands.
Rao alleged that funds released by the Centre under the 15th Finance Commission were being diverted by the State government, resulting in financial distress at the village level.
He said the representatives highlighted that Central funds were not reaching Gram Panchayats, affecting their functioning and development activities.
The BJP leader claimed that due to diversion of funds, panchayats were unable to pay salaries to staff and sanitation workers, and several development works had come to a standstill.
Taking a swipe at Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, Rao alleged that promises made by the Congress while in opposition regarding release of pending dues had not been fulfilled.
He also said that despite the transition to new sarpanches and the approach of the 16th Finance Commission, around ₹640 crore released under the 15th Finance Commission had not been utilised for panchayats.
Rao said the BJP would extend full support to the agitation launched by the Sarpanchs’ Association and continue to press for immediate release of funds.
TNT TS
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