The Gram Sabhas being held by the Telangana government for the implementation of four schemes are creating a stir between ministers and party MLAs. The MLAs of their own party are complaining about the conduct of Gram Sabhas and the selection process of eligible candidates. They also hold the ministers accountable.
On Wednesday night, when Civil Supplies Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy held a video conference with the party MLAs, it is reported that the majority MLAs showered them with questions on the conduct of Gram Sabhas and the selection of eligible candidates.
It is learnt that the MLAs of their own party asked questions like the opposition MLAs. Minister Uttam, who was fed up with this, reportedly told the MLAs, “ignore the guidelines given by the government.. Do as you please”. It is not just Uttam Kumar Reddy, the situation is similar for almost all the ministers.
It is learnt that an MLA made a scathing comment, saying, “You are all doing well while travelling to Davos, Delhi and Belgaum. We are being forced to work at the field level because of the pressure you have put on us.” The MLA reportedly said angrily, ‘Come and see how bad the situation is.’
The government’s idea of selecting eligible beneficiaries through gram sabhas seems to be backfired. If you try to campaign, it will backfire and increase opposition. The ruling Congress party felt that these gram sabhas will be helpful for them to win over people in the local bodies polls to be held soon. But, now MLAs fearing this is likely to be disastrous to them.
The names of eligible beneficiaries are not on the list. Due to this, people are cornering the officials, Congress workers and MLAs. Most of the gram sabhas are becoming a battlefield. All the Congress MLAs seem to be getting frustrated due to severe criticism from the people and party cadre.
MLAs are angry with the ministers and asking them what is needed to take applications again and again, which has been creating restlessness among people. They are questioning why not eligible people are being selected in a transparent manner, basing upon available details with the government?
The entire selection process for the eligible persons for Indiramma Indlu, Atmiya Bharosa, and issuance of ration cards is going on from Hyderabad. A list of eligible persons is being prepared based on technology with the details collected in the Prajapalana and caste census and sent to the field level.
This list is being put in the Gram Sabha and the eligible persons are being identified once again. Moreover, there is no possibility of preparing a new list or including new persons in the Gram Sabha. Even the MLAs do not have this power. With this, the MLAs are getting angry.