Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Panchayat Raj and Rural Development Pavan Kalyan will inaugurate week-long celebrations of his department `Palle Panduga’ (Village festival) in Kankipadu on Monday. This week, the state government will initiate over 30,000 projects in 13,326 villages across the state, with a budget of Rs 4,500 crore. This week, officials will perform Bhumi Pujas for all these projects.
The ministry recently approved these projects during Gram Sabhas organized simultaneously in all villages across the state on the same day. They have created and received an award from the World Record Union.
These works include construction of 3000 km of CC road, 500 km of tarred roads, construction of agricultural ponds, cattle sheds and ink pits at a cost of Rs.1,250 crores. Pawan Kalyan stated that the government deposited Rs 2,081 crore in wage dues for projects under the Employment Guarantee Scheme. This scheme creates a minimum of 100 days of wage employment in villages, providing better livelihood options.
He stated that laborers have received 466.13 lakh working days during these 100 days, and 1.07 lakh families have completed 100 days of work. To ensure transparency and accountability in completing projects funded by the Employment Guarantee Scheme and the 15th Finance Commission resources, they are organizing this festival.
Under the direction of MPDOs, Ministers, MLAs, MPs, MLCs and other public representatives will participate in their respective constituencies. Under the auspices of the State Panchayat Raj and the Ministry of Rural Development, the MPDOs are conducting these `palle panduga’ and Panchayat week celebrations.
The central government has released the first installment of 15th finance commission grants for the financial year 2024-25 to rural local bodies in the state to the extent of Rs 988 crore. The Center has clarified that these funds should not go towards salaries or other establishment expenses. Tide grants will fund water management projects, including sanitation, maintaining open defecation free (ODF) status, rainwater harvesting, water recycling, and domestic waste treatment.