MGNREGS should be used to develop infrastructure in villages: CM KCR

Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao has directed officials to make optimum usage of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) serving the dual purpose of taking up developmental works in rural areas and also providing employment to the labourers in the State. He pointed out that with all favourable conditions and resources, villages can never witness growth.

“With adequate funds and manpower, along with clear policies, extensive powers and effective governance, we must ensure development of the villages. By ensuring the development of villages and towns, we can ensure development of the State. We must prepare a village-wise four-year action plan after considering all our resources and requirements. The MGNREGS should be used to develop infrastructure in villages, besides providing work to the labourers,” he reiterated.

The Chief Minister held an extensive meeting with District Collectors and other officials on a variety of issues, including agriculture, MGNREGS, Palle Pragathi, Rythu Bandhu, Covid-19, locusts attack and power bills at Pragathi Bhavan on Tuesday.

Emphasising on rural development, Rao said gram panchayats will get at least Rs 39,594 crore revenue over the next four years and officials should



prepare a year-wise action plan for every village to take up development works. He asserted that budget allocations should be utilised properly and funds should be accounted for. He wanted elected representatives and village standing committees, accounting for a workforce of over 9.33 lakh members, to take up rural development as a movement.

The Chief Minister revealed his plans to conduct surprise visits in villages and warned of stringent action in case of any negligence towards maintaining cleanliness and green cover. He made it clear that cleanliness and hygiene must be maintained in every village as Palle Pragathi programme was not a one-off affair. “There cannot be a better work or achievement than keeping villages clean for the entire State administration, including the Chief Minister. We must prevent the spread of seasonal diseases,” he said.

Officials have been instructed to equip every village with a tractor, nurseries, dump yards and Vaikuntadhaamams (crematoriums/graveyards) within two months, and construction of Rythu Vedikas within four months. Collectors were directed to prepare a district card comprising an action plan for the development of each village and take up necessary works accordingly.