Lokesh slams Govt for 'snatching' panchayat funds

Jagan doing severe injustice to rural people

Sarpanches unable to carry out development works

Rs 965 Cr of 15th Finance Commission diverted

AMARAVATI (prajaamaravati): TDP National General Secretary and MLC Nara Lokesh on Tuesday strongly condemned the manner in which the Jaganmohan Reddy Government was 'undermining' the panchayat raj system by committing countless constitutional violations.

Nara Lokesh asked how the Government could straightaway take the funds from the panchayat accounts without giving any value to the powers of the sarpanches. Before the elections, Jagan Reddy held out huge promises saying that he would totally transform the villages all over the State if they voted for the 'fan' symbol. Now, the panchayats were being denied funds even for developing basic amenities.

In a statement here, Lokesh termed it as severe injustice to the people in rural areas that the YCP Government has diverted all the Rs. 965 Cr funds of the 15th Finance Commission. Also, the Jagan regime cut over Rs. 345 Cr in the 14th Finance Commission funds in the name of electricity dues.

Lokesh pointed out that the rural development took a back seat in the past two and half years due to lack of funds. The sarpanches thought that they would be able to do some work with the funds released under the 15th Finance Commission. They have made plans for the same. The Jagan regime gave a big blow to their aspirations.

Nara Lokesh said that the State Government's unconstitutional act left the accounts of the panchayats with zero funds. The sarpanches were now not able to give any explanation to the villagers. Seeing the gravity of the situation, the AP Government should deposit the respective funds back into the panchayat accounts to ensure developmental activities in villages.