VISAKHAPATNAM: Deputy Chief Minister (Panchayat Raj and Rural Development) Pawan Kalyan alleged that the previous government misled thousands of youth by creating unofficial village volunteer posts without proper appointments or Government Orders.
Speaking on the issue of village volunteers on Tuesday, he said, “Volunteers were made to believe that they were government employees, but there were no official GO or appointment letters. Payments were made from unknown sources, leaving many youths under the impression that they were in permanent roles. What they paid was only honorarium and not salaries.”
The matter was discussed in the first Cabinet meeting of the new government, and it was found that there had been no proper recruitment process. “I brought this to the attention of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and HRD Minister Nara Lokesh. Upon review, it was confirmed that no legitimate process had been followed. The youth should question how they were paid and from where,” he said.
During his visit to Kuridi, the Deputy CM announced the launch of a pilot project on collective organic farming in partnership with the local community. Interacting with villagers, he encouraged them to utilise over 500 acres of land in the village for the cultivation of medicinal plants, fruits and flowers. Officials would ensure market linkage and facilitate export opportunities, he said.
“Those who are willing to work will be supported. The government is committed to generating employment, particularly for youth in agency areas,” he said. He also announced that Kuridi, which holds personal significance for him, will receive Rs 5 lakh from his personal funds for development works.
He noted that around 2.5 lakh acres in agency regions are currently under coffee cultivation, and that steps are being taken to bring an additional one lakh acres under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS). “Even farmers with 10 to 15 cents of land will be supported for three years. Backyard farming will also be encouraged,” he said.
Pawan Kalyan further proposed developing a tourism circuit in tribal regions, inspired by Kerala’s cultural tourism model. “Village deity festivals, temples, and traditional practices can be promoted through homestays, which will generate employment while preserving local culture,” he said.
Earlier in the day, he visited Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy temple in Kuridi and performed Abhishekam alongside locals.
At a separate meeting in Araku, the Deputy CM interacted with representatives of the Andhra Pradesh Sarpanches Welfare Association and tribal sarpanches from Alluri Sitarama Raju district. District Collector AS Dinesh Kumar, Joint Collector MJ Abhishek Gouda and Sub-Collector Souryaman Patel were present.