CM vows push to rural sector

Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has emphasised the importance of Panchayat Raj and Rural Development for the advancement of rural areas and pledged to strengthen these sectors.
Addressing a review meeting, the Chief Minister noted that while various programmes had transformed villages between 2014 and 2019, the previous government had undermined these systems. He assured that the Panchayat Raj Department would be directed to enhance infrastructure in villages, including provisions for electricity, gas, toilets, and drinking water. Additionally, he highlighted the need for street lights, drainage canals, cement roads, drinking water supply, and solid waste management centres in every village. Establishing roads and marketplaces to connect nearby areas was also emphasised. The Chief Minister suggested that the Panchayat Raj department should implement a comprehensive plan to meet these minimum requirements shortly.
Naidu also announced that the Janmabhoomi 2.0 programme would resume in January 2025, focusing on development projects in villages with local participation. The Chief Minister conducted a review of the Panchayat Raj, Rural Development, Environment, and Forest Departments at the Secretariat on Tuesday, with Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan and officials from the respective departments in attendance.
The Chief Minister criticised the previous government’s diversion of funds meant for village infrastructure, leading to subpar conditions. Currently, Rs 990 crore allocated to the Panchayat Raj Department is being released from the Finance Department. He also noted that the previous administration had neglected the Jal Jeevan Mission, which aims to provide drinking water to every household, causing the State to fall to 19th position in the mission’s rankings.
To address this, Naidu announced an immediate release of Rs 500 crore from the finance department for the Jal Jeevan Mission and set a target to construct 17,500 km of cement roads and 10,000 km of drainage canals over the next five years.
Officials reported that the YSRCP government had left 25 lakh LED lights across the state without maintenance, resulting in only 60 per cent of the lights functioning in villages. Payment of Rs 482 crore is due for this, and the lack of funds over the past five years has halted new installations and maintenance. The Chief Minister proposed generating solar power through panchayat buildings across the state.
Naidu also called for the reopening of solid waste management centres that were discontinued under the previous government. He noted that gram sabhas would be held on 23 August to discuss NREGA works, with efforts underway to restart all garbage-to-wealth creation centres by 2 October.
Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan briefed the Chief Minister on recent decisions and reforms within the Panchayat Raj Department and confirmed that gram sabhas on NREGA works would be held across the state on 23 August.
The Chief Minister directed officials to explore step-by-step solutions for outstanding payments and to resume the installation and maintenance of new lights, including the consideration of solar power solutions.