Tribal farmers corner Revanth Reddy on MGNREGS wages, house plots

While interacting with the Chief Minister, a woman farmer, U Alivelu, pointed to delays in MGNREGS wage payments, to which Revanth Reddy and Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka responded with a familiar tune, blaming the Centre for the holdup

Nagarkurnool: Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy found himself cornered by a group of tribal women farmers at the launch of the Indira Soura Giri Jala Vikasam scheme at Macharam village in Amrabad mandal on Monday. He was taken aback when the beneficiaries, mostly women, politely pointed out a few burning issues.

While interacting with the Chief Minister, a woman farmer, U Alivelu, pointed to delays in MGNREGS wage payments, to which Revanth Reddy and Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka responded with a familiar tune, blaming the Centre for the holdup. “Funds have not been released on time,” Revanth Reddy said, while Bhatti Vikramarka nodded in agreement.

The Chief Minister was visibly upset when another farmer, Lingamma, questioned him about house plots. “Housing units had been sanctioned, but land is nowhere to be found. Locals are unwilling to sell land. What do we do?” she asked.

Revanth Reddy initially replied that no government land was available for housing and asked them to manage themselves. But sensing the tension, he quickly shifted gears, instructing the District Collector to explore feasible options.

Interestingly, the tribal women bravely raised their issues, despite the police arresting tribal activists ahead of the Chief Minister’s visit.