In a move to bolster rural development and promote local self-governance, the TDP-led NDA government in Andhra Pradesh has allocated Rs.167 billion for the Panchayat Raj and Rural Development Department. The government's commitment to reviving the Panchayat Raj system follows what it considers a period of neglect during the previous YSRC regime.
Finance Minister Payyavula Keshav highlighted the state's efforts to restore the glory of the Panchayat Raj system, focusing on grassroots governance. As part of this initiative, Special Gram Sabhas were held across 13,326 panchayats on August 23 to approve the MGNREGA action plan, setting a world record for the largest simultaneous panchayat meetings. The action plan, which includes the construction of cement roads in all villages, has now entered the implementation phase.
Under the Swarna Panchayats programme, the state has adopted a comprehensive vision plan for panchayat development. In August, the government released ?9.98 billion from the 15th Finance Commission funds, overdue since March 2024, to support Gram Panchayats.
The government has also aligned with central schemes to support rural livelihoods. "We are implementing various convergence initiatives under MGNREGA with 16 line departments to ensure sustainable livelihoods for the rural poor," said Keshav. Over 1.2 million households completed 100 days of wage employment in 2024-25, and projects such as horticulture, farm ponds, and natural resource management are underway to create durable village assets.
Special focus is being placed on Self-Help Group (SHG) members, who benefit from convergence with schemes like the PM Employment Generation Programme and PM Formalisation of Micro Food Enterprises. The government's efforts to promote Open Network Digital Commerce are also helping SHG women expand their businesses and increase income.
Additionally, the Andhra Pradesh Rural Road Connectivity Project has successfully completed 1,574 works, linking 2,134 habitations through 2,855 km of roads, further improving rural infrastructure.
