The issue of volunteers in Andhra Pradesh has once again become a topic of political discussion. The Village and Ward Secretariat Volunteers Association has alleged that promises were made before the elections to increase their salaries, but that they were ignored after the government came to power. The association demanded that volunteers be immediately reinstated and that unemployment allowance be paid for the past 26 months. It also recalled that Pawan Kalyan had promised to add another Rs 5,000 to the existing Rs 5,000 monthly remuneration.
Allegations of Betrayal of Volunteers
The Village and Ward Secretariat Volunteers Association alleged that the Chandrababu government had misled and betrayed the families of around 2.66 lakh village and ward volunteers in the state.
Association president Kumar Naik, secretary Dola Satyam, and other representatives spoke at a volunteers’ conference held on Tuesday at the Makineni Basavapunnaiah Vignana Kendram in Vijayawada.
The association demanded that the Chandrababu government immediately reinstate the volunteers. According to the association, volunteers have been away from their duties for the past 26 months since the coalition government assumed office. They demanded that unemployment allowance be paid for this period in accordance with the promises made to the youth.
Where Is the Promised Additional Rs 5,000?
The association once again raised the promises made to volunteers before the elections. It stated that Pawan Kalyan had promised during the election campaign that another Rs 5,000 would be added to the existing Rs 5,000 remuneration.
However, the association alleged that after coming to power, the government had failed to take action on the promise. The association expressed strong dissatisfaction over the fact that volunteers were not only denied the promised salary hike but were also kept away from their duties.
Why Is the Government Silent on the Volunteer System?
The association said that volunteers had played an important role in taking government services closer to the people. It demanded that they be immediately reinstated and once again used as a bridge between the government and the public.
The association alleged that the government was delaying a decision on the volunteers’ issues instead of resolving them immediately. It sought justice for those who had been without employment during this period, along with their reinstatement.
Demand for Unemployment Allowance for 26 Months
Along with reinstatement, the Village and Ward Secretariat Volunteers Association demanded unemployment allowance for the past 26 months.
The association urged the government to implement the promises made during the election campaign. It said that the promised addition of Rs 5,000 to the existing Rs 5,000 remuneration had not been followed up with concrete action after the government came to power.
The association once again demanded that volunteers be immediately brought back into service and utilized as a bridge between the government and the people.
When Will There Be Clarity on the Future of 2.66 Lakh Volunteers?
The association recalled that around 2.66 lakh volunteers across Andhra Pradesh had earlier been engaged to provide government services and act as a link between the administration and the public.
It stated that keeping them away from their duties had created financial difficulties for their families. The association urged the government to take a decision on reinstating the volunteers, provide clarity on the promised salary increase, and pay unemployment allowance for the past 26 months.
What Happened to the Promises? When Will Volunteers Get Justice?
The volunteers’ association is now questioning the promises made before the elections and the decisions taken after the government came to power.
The key questions raised by the association include: What happened to the promise of adding another Rs 5,000 to the existing Rs 5,000 remuneration? When will the volunteers who have been away from their duties for 26 months be reinstated? When will unemployment allowance be paid?
The association has urged the government to announce a clear decision on the demands of the volunteers. The decision on the future of 2.66 lakh volunteers and their families has now become a key issue.
