Govt. to strengthen village administration after local body polls: Panchayat Raj Chamber VP

A.P. Panchayat Raj Chamber vice president and MARKFED Director Anepu Ramakrishna Naidu on Monday said that the Chandrababu Naidu government can further strengthen village administration after local body polls.

He hoped TDP and its alliance partners would win over 95% of seats in the next elections, alleging the previous YSRCP government ruined local governance by diverting funds sanctioned by the 15th Finance Commission.

Speaking to The Hindu in Srikakulam, he alleged that the previous Jagan Mohan Reddy government had diverted around ₹8,300 crore in funds allocated by the 15th Finance Commission for unproductive needs.

“The Centre is providing funds directly to panchayats to take up sanitation, internal roads, water facility, street light maintenance and others. However, the then YSRCP diverted funds in various routes without giving any scope to panchayats even to know about the allocated funds for their villages,” Mr. Naidu said.