CPI(M) Pushes Pawan Kalyan to Release ₹1,121 Crore Panchayat Funds

Quick Summary:

• CPI(M) letter to Deputy Chief Minister: V. Srinivasa Rao, CPI(M)’s andhra Pradesh State Secretary, requested Deputy CM K. Pawan Kalyan to release ₹1,121 crore allocated under the 15th Finance Commission for village panchayats.
• Pending funds: The second tranche of funds was released by the Center six months ago but has not been disbursed by the state government, leading to distress among local bodies.
• Additional demands:

– Raise sarpanch honorarium from ₹3,000 to ₹10,000 (as promised during elections).
– Expedite panchayat bill clearance by directing panchayat secretaries.- Ensure full devolution of 29 subjects to panchayats as per constitutional amendments.
– Provide accident insurance coverage up to ₹20 lakh for duty-related deaths of sarpanches.
– Allocate special growth funds for villages and tribal hamlets in Scheduled Areas.
– Entrust village panchayats with supervision of MGNREGS activities.

Indian Opinion Analysis:

The request highlights concerns about delays in fund disbursement that could affect grassroots governance and development initiatives in Andhra Pradesh’s villages and tribal areas. The pending financial assistance-₹1,121 crore under the 15th Finance Commission-is crucial for empowering decentralized systems like village panchayats amid increasing responsibilities outlined by constitutional mandates and election promises.

Beyond funding issues lies a broader push for structural reform aimed at better implementation of rural programs such as MGNREGS while ensuring timely compensation (e.g., insurance or honoraria) for leaders like sarpanches managing these affairs on-ground. Overall progress hinges upon prompt administrative action from both state authorities and coalition leadership.

Read more: Published August 06, 2025