BJP leader Vijay Shanthi criticized the KCR government for leaving the Gram Panchayat workers, who had hoped that their lives would change if Swarashtra was formed, disappointed with the rule. MLAs, ministers, and the CM have repeatedly praised the workers for their excellent work in rural development, but reminded them that salaries have not been increased so far.
Vijayashanti said that 90 percent of the workers working in 12,761-gram panchayats across the state are mostly from BC and SC communities. They explained that they have been doing all the work including water supply and cleaning of drainages in the villages for many years. In addition to this, the government has also handed over the responsibility of cleaning schools from last year.
Vijayashanti reminded that the salaries of contract and outsourced employees along with ZPTCs, MPTCs, and Sarpanches in the villages have been increased three times from 2014 to date. But, about 36,500 workers working for the cleanliness of the villages were limited to a salary of Rs 8,000. Workers have repeatedly called on the government to increase their salaries.
Vijayashanti said there were many vacancies in the new gram panchayats but they were not being filled. As a result, the workload is increasing, he said. The only thing wrong with the government is to increase the workload. She suggested that it would be better to identify the workers who are still suffering along with the sanitation of the villages and provide the minimum wage recommended by the PRC Commission.
