Release Panchayat Funds in a Month or Face Protest: Bandi Sanjay

KARIMNAGAR: Union minister of state for home affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar on Wednesday issued a stern warning to the State government, demanding the release of pending funds for village panchayats within one month. He was addressing a felicitation ceremony for newly elected sarpanches and Ward members at a private function hall in Karimnagar district.

The minister warned that he would lead a massive protest rally in Hyderabad along with sarpanches and Ward members if the Congress government failed to meet the deadline. He said the release of funds must precede the conduct of MPTC, ZPTC and municipal elections.

Accusing the State government of citing the election code as a pretext to delay payments, Bandi Sanjay said the BJP would fight resolutely to ensure villages receive their rightful funds. He alleged that the previous government had diverted Central funds, resulting in the deterioration of rural administration.

The minister announced a special development plan for 18 villages in the Karimnagar Parliamentary constituency where BJP-backed sarpanches were elected. He said these villages would be developed as model villages using MPLAD funds and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) support. The focus would be on education and healthcare, including construction of toilets in government schools and provision of medical equipment to Primary Health Centres (PHCs).

As part of initiatives aimed at youth welfare, he announced that bicycles would soon be distributed to Class IX students through local sarpanches. He also said steps would be taken to establish a drinking water plant in every village to ensure access to clean water.

While assuring support in providing medical equipment to government hospitals, the minister said the responsibility of appointing adequate medical staff rested with the State government.