Villagers rally for MGNREGS work in Anakapalli district

Residents of Ajaypuram village in Ravikamatham mandal, Anakapalli district, staged a protest on Thursday demanding immediate employment under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS). They warned of a dharna at the MPDO office if their grievances remained unaddressed by Friday.

Carrying agricultural tools and grass bundles, the villagers marched from Ajaypuram to Jogumpeta, alleging that the lack of work opportunities had pushed several families into financial hardship.

The protesters pointed out that around 610 job card holders across 16 villages fell under Cheemalapadu panchayat, and claimed that the removal of one of two Village Resource Persons (VRPs) had burdened the sole remaining staff member, hampering the scheme’s implementation.

Adding to their woes, villagers said they were being directed to travel nearly six kilometres to Jilugulova village for work, with transportation expenses consuming a significant portion of their wages. They demanded that employment works such as stone bund construction and tank-related activities be sanctioned in nearby areas, including Jogumpeta, Kadagadda, Pedagaruvu, and Rayapadu.

Ajaypuram village alone had around 30 job card holders and nearly 60 land pattas spread over 120 acres. Residents said that despite repeated representations to officials, no action had been taken.

Agricultural Workers’ Association assistant secretary K. Govinda Rao, who extended support to the protest, warned, “If employment works are not sanctioned before Monday, we will stage a dharna in front of the MPDO office.”

Among those who participated were Vantala Jyothi, Pangi Ramesh, Pangi Sachin Kumar, and Pangi Pawan Kumar.