TRS using PR institutions, local bodies for corruption: Uttam

Hyderabad: Parliamentarian Capt. N. Uttam Kumar Reddy, on 22 December, alleged that the TRS government was using panchayat raj institutions and urban local bodies for corruption. He said that the strengthening of panchayat raj institutions and other local bodies were essential for the survival of democracy in the country.

He was addressing a day-long Satyagraha Deekhsha at Indira Park here organised by Rajiv Gandhi Panchayati Raj Sanghatan to highlight the neglect of panchayat raj institutions and urban local bodies and their elected representatives by the TRS government.

Mr. Uttam Reddy said the TRS government has turned the elected representatives of PR institutions and urban local bodies into symbolic entities with no powers or say in the decision-making process. He said that Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao has completely crushed gram panchayats and other institutions by ending their relevance.

The TPCC chief alleged that the KCR government was harassing elected representatives of the Congress, especially in rural areas of Telangana. He said the Congress would not tolerate the harassment of the TRS and advised all elected representatives of Congress to get in touch with PRS state convener Dr. Harish and other leaders if they are ever subjected to any kind of harassment or discrimination by the TRS government.

Mr. Uttam alleged that TRS leaders were looting the gram panchayats by taking commission from agencies for purchase of tractors, LEDs, and other items. He said panchayats were being forced to purchase tractors through selective contractors. He said the state government has been making claims of constructing Rythu Vedikas and Shamshana Vatikas across Telangana but no bills have been released so far for those works. He said the TS government was diverting panchayat funds sent by the Finance Commission and demanded it permit direct funding for panchayat raj institutions to ensure development in rural areas.

The TPCC chief said the previous Congress regimes used to issue direct funds for gram panchayats but the TRS government was not only reducing the protocol and relevance of sarpanches but planning to end their cheque powers.

He alleged that KCR was ruling the state in an autocratic and 'devilish' manner. Stating that he has been a member of the Assembly/Parliament since 1999, he said he had never seen such an arrogant government in his entire political career. He said elected representatives of Congress were being arrested even when they were holding peaceful Satyagraha.