YSR gives incentives to elected sarpanchs

Hyderabad, Nov 30: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy here on Sunday, Nov 30 distributed incentive to the tune of Rs 146 crore to sarpanchs of over 3,000 Gram Panchayats for getting elected unanimously.

In his address, the Chief Minister exhorted the heads of Panchayat Raj institutions to ensure provision of basic amenities,including drinking water, in their respective villages.

''Getting elected without any contest, more responsibility rests on your shoulders to usher in all round development of your villages,'' he underscored.

Noting sarpanchs were the crucial link between the State Government and the people for taking forward welfare schemes and development projected, he urged them to ensure that no ineligble persons got benefits of INDIRAMMA and other schemes.

The government was committed to cover all eligible persons for housing, pension and other benefits based on the saturation concept, he added.

Meanwhile, a section of the unanimously elected sarpanchs, who could not not gain entry into the venue of the ''Sarpanchs Sadasu,'' staged a noisy protest.

UNI