Sitakka Demands Withdrawal of VB GRAM G Act, Writes to Centre

Telangana Panchayat Raj and Rural Development Minister Dr. Danasari Anasuya Seethakka has urged the Central Government to withdraw the proposed VB GRAM G Act and continue the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) in its existing form. In letters addressed to Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, she expressed concern that several provisions in the new legislation could negatively impact poor families, Dalits, tribal communities, and landless rural workers. She also argued that state-level fund allocation could overlook the actual employment needs of backward districts.

Seethakka further demanded that state housing schemes such as Indiramma Houses be brought under the new framework and that agriculture-related livelihood activities, land development works, and welfare-oriented projects be allowed. She also opposed the proposed mandatory 60-day employment gap, stating that it would severely affect rural households dependent on wage employment. The Telangana Government has requested the Centre to protect employment rights, strengthen local self-governance institutions, and revise provisions that may adversely affect vulnerable communities.