Amaravati, February 13: The YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) has launched a scathing attack on the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP)-Jana Sena coalition, accusing it of gross violations in the implementation of the NREGS. YSRCP Panchayati Raj Wing state president, Vennapusa Ravindra Reddy, alleged that the government is bypassing local governance structures and awarding NREGS-related works to contractors, depriving thousands of rural laborers of their rightful employment.
Ravindra Reddy highlighted that despite a clear High Court directive prohibiting contractor involvement in NREGS, the TDP-led administration continues to flout the ruling. He criticized the government for ignoring democratic processes, stating that village sarpanches and ward members—who are meant to oversee these projects—have been sidelined in favor of private contractors.
As a mark of protest, YSRCP leaders will visit all District Collectorate offices across the state on February 17, which falls on Grievance Cell Day, to submit representation letters demanding strict adherence to the High Court verdict. They will insist that only projects approved through resolutions passed by village sarpanches be sanctioned, ensuring that funds reach the intended workforce instead of being diverted to politically connected contractors.
Beyond NREGS violations, Ravindra Reddy accused the TDP government of failing to secure central funds and misusing state resources, leading to a stagnation in rural development. He alleged that instead of strengthening local self-governance, the government has centralized decision-making in a manner that benefits corporate interests over rural workers.
He also took aim at Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, calling him a “mere follower” of Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu. He claimed that despite the glaring violations of NREGS norms, Kalyan has remained silent, failing to stand up for rural communities and the labor force that heavily relies on the scheme for survival.
The YSR Congress Party maintains that it is committed to ensuring NREGS funds directly benefit laborers and rural workers, as originally intended under the scheme. Ravindra Reddy reiterated that his party would continue to fight against mismanagement and corruption in NREGS implementation and hold the government accountable for bypassing constitutional procedures.
With tensions mounting, the February 17 protest is expected to put further pressure on the TDP government, especially as opposition scrutiny on rural development policies intensifies. Whether the coalition government will respond to these allegations or continue its current approach remains to be seen.
