PNS|Eluru
Jana Sena chief K Pawan Kalyan has once again launched a scathing attack on the volunteer system, raising concerns about the accountability for crimes committed by volunteers.
Addressing a large public meeting in Tadepalligudem on Wednesday, Pawan Kalyan expressed concern over the lack of responsibility and questioned who should be held accountable for the actions of volunteers in Andhra Pradesh. Drawing a comparison to the Red Cross, where the Governor assumes responsibility, he emphasised the need to identify who should bear responsibility for the volunteers.
During the meeting, Pawan Kalyan shared a list of crimes committed by volunteers across various regions of the state. He alleged that some volunteers were using their positions to target individuals, even resorting to threats of cancelling welfare schemes. In certain areas, he claimed that volunteers were engaging in surveillance activities to plan and execute crimes.
“The volunteers in AP seem to draw inspiration from Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy. They believe that by committing crimes and going to jail, they can attain positions of power, similar to Jagan Mohan Reddy’s journey,” he criticized. Pawan Kalyan accused some volunteers of specifically targeting girls and women, subjecting them to sexual exploitation.
While acknowledging that some victims had filed complaints, he highlighted the prevailing social stigma that prevented many from coming forward.
Raising concerns about the data collected by volunteers, Pawan Kalyan alleged that it was being sent to a data agency located in Nanakramguda, Hyderabad. He demanded clarity from the Chief Minister regarding the purpose and usage of this data.
Expressing disappointment over the tarnished reputation of the entire volunteer system due to the actions of a few individuals, Pawan Kalyan criticised the meager daily wages of Rs 165.38 paid to volunteers, which is lower than the wages received by NREGA workers. He pledged to implement prohibition in areas where there is a demand for it if the Janasena party comes to power, while acknowledging the challenges associated with a complete prohibition.
Further, Pawan Kalyan alleged that the government earned Rs 1.37 lakh crore from liquor sales and questioned the whereabouts of this revenue. In a satirical remark, he compared Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy to cheap liquor brands in AP, suggesting that he is inferior to “Boom Boom” and superior to “Andhra Gold.”
