PNS|Vijayawada
The State government has taken a significant step by issuing a Government Order (GO) to prosecute Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan for his recent remarks against the volunteers. During a public meeting held in Eluru on July 9, Pawan Kalyan made allegations that the information collected by the volunteers was contributing to women trafficking in the state.
The remarks made by Pawan Kalyan against the Village Volunteer System have been duly noted by both the State government and the AP Women’s Commission, who have decided to address the matter through legal means. The State Women’s Commission has issued a notice to Pawan Kalyan, requesting him to provide evidence to support his allegations. To pursue this matter in accordance with the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, the state government has instructed the Public Prosecutor, Special Chief Secretary Ajay Jain, to initiate a defamation case against Pawan Kalyan.
The government’s decision to take legal action against the Jana Sena chief is outlined in the issued Government Order (GO Rt No 16), which authorises the Department of Volunteers and Secretariats to proceed with the necessary legal steps. The government has characterised Pawan Kalyan’s remarks as defamatory, derogatory, and harmful towards the volunteers and the state administration.
During the Eluru public meeting, Pawan Kalyan referred to data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), which indicated that 29,000 women were reported missing in the state. According to the NCRB data, the police successfully traced 14,000 of these cases, while 16,000 remained unresolved. Pawan Kalyan connected these missing cases to the information collected by the volunteers.
In response to the impending defamation case, Pawan Kalyan expressed his readiness to face the legal proceedings and reiterated his commitment to standing by his statements. He also accused the government of exploiting the services of volunteers by paying them less than the wages offered under the NREGS (National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme). Additionally, Pawan Kalyan revealed his intention to file cases against the government on various issues, including allegations of corruption and criminal activities.
