*Rs. 1,000 Cr in pending wages,  Naidu Govt failed to protect MGNREGA labourers*

Anantapur, April 21: YSRCP Panchayat Raj Wing State President Vennapoosa Ravindra Reddy strongly criticised the Chandrababu Naidu-led coalition government for neglecting MGNREGA workers and failing to ensure timely wage payments. He stated that over Rs. 1,000 crore in wage dues are pending, with nearly 18 lakh workers waiting for payments despite working under extreme conditions, including 45-degree heat. He pointed out that as per MGNREGA norms, wages must be paid within 15 days, but the government has failed to implement this, leaving workers in severe distress.
He accused the coalition government of not fulfilling its election promises and questioned whether Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan and Union Minister Pemmasani are ignoring the cries of hungry labourers. Highlighting the contrast, he said that under the previous YSRCP government led by YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, employment opportunities were significantly higher, whereas now total workdays have sharply declined from 25.55 crore to 18.59 crore, leading to a loss of around Rs. 1,300 crore in income for the poor.
Ravindra Reddy stated that large-scale deletion of job cards and removal of Field Assistants have worsened the situation, disrupting the implementation of the scheme. He said the issue will be taken to the notice of the Central Government and warned that those responsible for irregularities and незакон gains will be held accountable when YSRCP returns to power in 2029.