Pawan Kalyan accuses Jagan govt of misusing PR funds

Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and Jana Sena Party president Pawan Kalyan has launched a sharp attack on the previous YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) administration, accusing it of systematically misappropriating Panchayat Raj funds.

Addressing a press conference in Vijayawada today, Kalyan alleged that the government led by YS Jagan Mohan Reddy had effectively crippled the Panchayat Raj system by diverting crucial funds intended for rural development.

Jagan dismantled financial backbone!

“The previous regime dismantled the financial backbone of the Panchayat Raj system. Funds meant for gram panchayats were siphoned off, leaving villages deprived and development stalled,” said Kalyan.

Drawing from findings during his tenure as Minister for Panchayat Raj and Rural Development, he revealed that financial discrepancies amounting to nearly ₹3,000 crore had been identified, with investigations still underway.

Kalyan further alleged that a total of ₹8,641 crore from the 14th and 15th Finance Commission allocations were diverted without the necessary approvals from sarpanches or formal resolutions.

“These diversions were carried out in secrecy, bypassing democratic procedures and transparency,” he stated. In contrast, he noted that the current government had released ₹1,250 crore under the 15th Finance Commission to help revive panchayat operations.

Volunteer system was fraud!

He also criticized the YSRCP’s introduction of a volunteer system, claiming it was used to undermine elected sarpanches and funnel resources toward party affiliates. “It was a parallel power structure—one that served the party’s interests rather than the people’s. It eroded the integrity of the Panchayat Raj framework,” Kalyan said, reiterating his long-standing concerns over the former administration’s governance style. Kalyan’s remarks come as part of his broader initiative to revitalize grassroots governance. He highlighted recent milestones, including Andhra Pradesh’s record-setting feat of conducting 13,326 Grama Sabhas in a single day—an achievement recognized by the World Records Union. He also contrasted his government’s progress, such as constructing 4,300 km of cement roads in just eight months, with what he described as the YSRCP’s neglect of rural infrastructure development.