7,660 crore central funds meant for Panchayat Raj diverted by AP to pay power bills

KAKINADA: Andhra Pradesh Panchayat Raj Chamber president Rajendra Prasad said here on Thursday that the state government diverted Rs. 7,660 crore of central funds for Panchayat Raj to clear the panchayats’ arrears in electricity bills, against the norms.

Participating in a sarpanches awareness meeting organised by the Telugu Desam here, Prasad said it was state finance minister Rajendranath who announced the diversion of funds. By doing so, the state government weakened the panchayati raj system, he said.            

He said the state government should ensure National Rural Employment Generation Scheme funds are released directly to the panchayats and its supervisory powers should be given to the panchayats. The government should re-divert the funds to the panchayat Raj department, he said.

Participating in the meeting, Peddapuram MLA Nimmakayala China Rajappa said the people were getting ready to end the YSRC rule. The government was arresting those who were questioning its wrong deeds, he said.

He said TD chief Chandrababu Naidu had decided to tour his Kuppam constituency for three days, but the YSRC leaders were creating disturbances there. Everyone who was harassing TD leaders will be made to repent for this in the coming days, he said.