Gudupally sarwabhowma

Joint Palamuru Local Bodies MLC Naveen Reddy has urged the Congress government to immediately fulfil the assurances made to local body representatives in its “Abhaya Hastham” manifesto during the 2023 Assembly elections. Raising the issue in the Telangana Legislative Council during the Budget Session, he said the government had promised better honorariums, pensions and welfare measures for local institution representatives before coming to power, but those commitments are still pending.

Speaking in the Council, Naveen Reddy reminded the government that the manifesto had promised a monthly honorarium of Rs. 1,500 for Gram Panchayat ward members, an increase in honorariums for Sarpanches and MPTCs from Rs. 6,500, and for ZPTCs and MPPs from Rs. 13,000. He also said the Congress had assured pensions for former Sarpanches, MPTCs and ZPTCs, but has failed to implement these promises after assuming office.

The MLC further demanded that the government announce a clear timeline for implementing these commitments. He questioned when the promised honorarium for ward members would be introduced and whether it would be implemented at all. Naveen Reddy also called for village panchayat karobars to be recognised as Junior Secretaries and given a proper honorarium, while panchayat staff salaries should be paid directly by the state government.

He also sought clarity on the long-pending MPTC and ZPTC elections, asking the government to specify whether the elections will be held and by when. Stressing that the promises listed on Page 25 of the manifesto must be honoured, Naveen Reddy said the government should not neglect the expectations of local body public representatives and must act without further delay.