*Chandrababu failed rural workers, diverted Panchayat funds*

Tadepalli, July 2: YSRCP Panchayat Raj Wing State President Vennapoosa Ravindra Reddy said the TDP-led coalition government is responsible for the collapse of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) in Andhra Pradesh by failing to protect the interests of rural workers and Panchayats. He stated that the Centre's decision to alter the funding pattern from 90:10 to 60:40 had imposed a massive financial burden on states, but Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu failed to challenge the decision or secure relief for Andhra Pradesh. He also said Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan remained silent on the hardships of MGNREGS workers.
Ravindra Reddy pointed out that while the daily wage for MGNREGS workers in Andhra Pradesh had increased by only Rs. 5 under the present government, wages had risen by Rs. 89 during the five-year Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy government. He questioned the coalition's promise of providing 125 days of employment, stating that it would require Rs. 22,746 crore, while the State would receive only Rs. 7,707 crore from the Centre, leaving a funding gap of Rs. 15,039 crore. Challenging Chandrababu Naidu to an open debate, he asked the government to explain how it intends to bridge the shortfall.
He further stated that the diversion of Rs. 1,026 crore from the 15th Finance Commission grants had crippled Gram Panchayats and severely affected rural development. He also said that funds meant for MGNREGS had been diverted, weakening rural infrastructure and employment generation. Ravindra Reddy criticized sections of the media for remaining silent on the plight of rural workers and reiterated that YSRCP would continue its struggle until the diverted Panchayat funds are restored and rural local bodies receive the financial support they are entitled to.