Telangana sarpanches seek Governor's intervention on pending bills
Many sarpanches have pledged their properties to clear pending bills and some even committed suicide due to financial strain.
HYDERABAD: A delegation of the Joint Action Committee of Telangana State Sarpanch Sangam met Governor C. P. Radhakrishnan at Raj Bhavan on Sunday, requesting his intervention for clearance of pending bills.
Led by Sangam President Sarve Yadaiah Goud and Sarpanchula Forum President Lakshmi Narasimha Reddy, the delegation highlighted the lack of government response regarding village development despite the expiration of the sarpanchs' term six months ago.
Governor Radhakrishnan assured the delegation that he would engage with the state government to expedite the release of pending funds.
Speaking to the media later, Narasimha Reddy explained the financial strains faced by sarpanches, who used personal funds for projects such as Rythu Vedikas, sports grounds, gram panchayat buildings, CC roads, and underground drainage systems. The bills remained unclear despite multiple petitions to Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, ministers, and District Collectors. He said the situation has led to severe financial difficulties for the sarpanches, with some reportedly resorting to pledging properties or even committing suicide.
The delegation urged state and central governments to immediately allocate funds to the gram panchayats.