Seethakka Directs Officials to Prepare Eight Months of Employment Plans for Villages

Telangana Rural Development Minister Seethakka has directed officials to prepare employment plans covering eight months in villages, keeping in mind the possible water scarcity caused by El Niño and the challenges faced by the agricultural sector. Reviewing employment guarantee works with senior officials, she instructed them to prioritise the 370 types of works approved under the VBG Ram Ji scheme and implement them in phases according to local needs. She stressed that plans should be designed to ensure employment opportunities for labourers throughout the year, while giving priority to works that address village-level requirements.

Seethakka expressed displeasure with District Rural Development Officers (DRDOs) who were negligent in implementing employment works, stating that visible progress was essential and that explanations alone would not suffice. She warned that strict action would be taken against Mandal Parishad Development Officers (MPDOs) who neglected the issuance of job cards. She directed officials to complete mandal-level work plans by the end of October and be ready to launch employment works from November 1. She also announced that implementation plans would be reviewed every two months. In addition, she called for awareness campaigns on alternative crops for farmers, employment works tailored to the needs of small and marginal farmers, and the active involvement of sarpanches in selecting and implementing projects.