The Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, YS Jaganmohan Reddy has been trying to utilize his infamous ‘Grama Volunteers’ to their best in the upcoming elections. His new proposal for them is now inviting a lot of discussions among the political observers.
Jagan introduced the ‘Grama Volunteers’ system for the first time in India by assigning one volunteer for every 50 houses in every place of the state by paying them 5000 rupees per month. More than their service, these volunteers were used by the ruling YSRCP party as their own workers collecting necessary data from the voters of Andhra Pradesh. Despite their hardships and huge work to the party more than the AP Government, they were paid just 5000 rupees, and recently they protested to increase the pay. CM however poured water on their wishes by stating that they were doing service to the people and the money they get monthly should be considered as a gift rather than feeling happy.
Now the elections are approaching, Jagan understood the importance of these volunteers who became close to their local people. He is planning to triple their salaries to pay 15000 rupees per month if they pull YSRCP to power yet again in 2024. Now the debate is why cannot Jagan increase their salaries now rather than win again in 2024. They declare the entire thing as an election stunt only to use these volunteers as his mode of campaigning because the leaders were sent back during the ‘Gadapa Gadapaku’ program.