Ex-sarpanches stage dharna for release of funds in Vizianagaram

Vizianagaram: Former Sarpanches and representatives of local bodies on Tuesday staged a dharna at the District Collectorate, demanding release of bills for the works completed.

State president of AP Panchayat Raj Chamber and MLC Y V B Rajendra Prasad led the sit-in. He said though the Union government released the funds for payment to workers under NREGA, the State government was not releasing the funds for payment.

He criticised the government for not placing trust in Sarpanches and releasing funds. It amounted to insulting the people's representatives of local bodies. With the State government failing to release funds for development activities, the Sarpanches had to spend money out of their pocket.