More anger, chaos spill out on Day 2 of Gram Sabhas across Telangana

Villagers voice anger against Congress government, accuse it of failing to deliver on its promises

Hyderabad: Gram Sabhas across Telangana continued to be battlegrounds as villagers voiced their anger against the Congress government, accusing it of failing to deliver on its promises.

For the second consecutive day, the public meetings were marred by protests, clashes and heavy police presence, reflecting widespread discontent over unfulfilled welfare schemes. The officials faced the people’s ire, with mounting pressure to address grievances.

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In Paleru constituency, villagers in Chennaram and Siddique Nagar dismantled Gram Sabha tents in frustration over the lack of access to government schemes. They alleged that deserving beneficiaries were ignored, while benefits were extended to ineligible individuals. Similar scenes unfolded in Karimnagar’s Kataram mandal, where villagers accused authorities of prioritising the ineligible rich over the eligible poor.

In Khammam district, tensions flared in Konijarl mandal as villagers expressed outrage over unkept promises. Anger boiled over in Jagtial district’s Kodimyala and Morapelli Gram Sabhas, where villagers accused officials of collecting bribes in the name of Indiramma housing schemes. Over 500 villagers protested, blocking roads and demanding justice.

Nallabelli in Warangal witnessed what locals described as an undeclared Emergency, with heavy police deployment and shops being shut down. Residents expressed shock at the unprecedented blockade, expressing fear over arrests for questioning the government’s failures.

Protests also erupted in Jangaon, Suryapet and Yadadri Bhongir districts, with villagers confronting officials about the unfulfilled six guarantees, pending crop loan waivers, and discrepancies in welfare distribution. In Nemarugomula village of Bibinagar mandal, arguments broke out over allegations that undeserving individuals were included in welfare lists.

Women played a prominent role in the protests, with emotional scenes in Gunneruvaram of Karimnagar district, where a woman broke down, accusing officials of ignoring the deserving in housing schemes. In Station Ghanpur’s Thimmampeta village, women confronted officials over alleged bribery in the allocation of Indiramma houses.

The unrest also extended to Congress cadres, with workers in Mahabubabad’s Somavarapu Kunta hamlet and Komatlagudem in Khammam criticising party leaders for favouritism in welfare distribution. In some cases, villagers accused Congress leaders of taking bribes and manipulating beneficiary lists.

Meanwhile, the State government declared that the Grama/Ward Sabhas were held in 9,844 villages and towns, receiving over 10.09 lakh applications for four major welfare schemes including Rythu Bharosa, Indiramma Atmeeya Bharosa, Indiramma houses and ration cards.

These schemes will be formally launched on January 26, marking Republic Day. The government is planning to conduct a total of 16,398 Grama/Ward Sabhas covering around 12,914 villages and another 3,484 wards in urban areas.