Former Sarpanches Protest Outside Telangana Assembly Over Unpaid Bills, SFC Funds

Tension prevailed outside the Telangana Assembly in Hyderabad on Wednesday as a group of former sarpanches attempted to lay siege to the building, demanding the clearance of pending bills and regular monthly release of State Finance Commission (SFC) funds to Gram Panchayats.

The protest was organized under the banner of the Telangana Sarpanches Association Joint Action Committee (JAC). When the former sarpanches tried to enter the Assembly premises, police intercepted them and shifted them to the Saidabad police station.

Unpaid bills for 33 months

JAC chairman Survi Yadaiah Goud expressed anguish over the bills remaining unpaid for 33 months. He said the interest on loans taken by former sarpanches had mounted, causing them severe financial hardship. Goud noted that several former sarpanches had even resorted to suicide due to their financial woes.

The former sarpanches urged the state government to ensure regular monthly release of SFC funds to Gram Panchayats. They argued that development works, including sanitation, drinking water supply, road construction and drainage, could be carried out smoothly only if funds were released to the gram panchayats.

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Impact on Hyderabad and surrounding areas

While the protest took place near the Assembly in Hyderabad, the demands directly affect Gram Panchayats across Telangana, including those in the Hyderabad district and surrounding rural areas such as Ranga Reddy, Medchal-Malkajgiri, and Sangareddy. Many residents in these areas rely on Gram Panchayats for basic services like drinking water, sanitation, and road maintenance.

The delay in fund release has reportedly stalled several development projects. Former sarpanches said that without regular funding, local bodies cannot pay contractors, maintain infrastructure, or undertake new works. The financial strain has also pushed many former sarpanches into debt, as they had taken personal loans to complete projects in the absence of government funds.

Police intervention and legal proceedings

Police acted swiftly when the protesters attempted to breach the security cordon around the Assembly. The former sarpanches were taken to Saidabad police station, where they were held for several hours. No arrests have been officially confirmed, and legal proceedings, if any, remain unclear.

The JAC has indicated that further protests may follow if the government does not address their demands. The group has called for a meeting with Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and other senior officials to discuss the issue.

Broader context of local governance funding

The State Finance Commission is a constitutional body that recommends the distribution of financial resources between the state government and local bodies, including Gram Panchayats. Regular release of SFC funds is essential for the functioning of rural local governments.

In recent years, several states have faced criticism for delaying SFC grants, leading to financial stress on panchayats. The situation in Telangana has been particularly acute, with former sarpanches claiming that bills have remained unpaid for nearly three years.

For Hyderabad residents who own agricultural land or property in peri-urban areas, the health of Gram Panchayats directly impacts property values, infrastructure quality, and access to basic services. The ongoing dispute highlights the challenges of decentralized governance in the state.

What to watch

The JAC has said it will continue its agitation until the government clears all pending bills and ensures regular monthly release of SFC funds. The state government has not yet issued an official response to the protest.

Former sarpanches have urged the government to set up a mechanism for timely payment of bills and to ensure that Gram Panchayats receive their due share of state finances without delays.

Source: Telangana Today – https://telanganatoday.com/former-sarpanches-attempt-to-lay-siege-to-telangana-assembly-over-key-demands