Minister steps up El Niño preparedness, pushes rural jobs in all gram panchayats | Hyderabad News

Hyderabad: Panchayat raj and rural development minister D Anasuya (Seethakka) on Wednesday directed officials to step up preparedness for the potential impact of El Niño, ensure employment opportunities in every gram panchayat and strengthen water conservation measures to prevent distress migration.She said employment guarantee scheme VB-G Ram G works had commenced in 12,516 gram panchayats across Telangana, while works were yet to begin in 244. Officials were directed to launch works immediately in the remaining villages and increase worker participation.A record 3,97,788 workers participated in employment guarantee works on Oct 27, Seethakka said, calling for further mobilisation. She instructed officials to appoint one work supervisor for every 40 workers to ensure effective implementation.Emphasising water security, the minister called for the restoration of village tanks and construction of farm ponds, soak pits and borewell recharge structures. She also directed officials to make advance arrangements to prevent shortages of drinking water and fodder for livestock.Seethakka urged sarpanches to create local employment opportunities and use available funds effectively for infrastructure development. She said every gram panchayat should be developed into an Adarsha Gram Panchayat (model village).Warning against delays, she said action would be taken against sarpanches, panchayat secretaries and mandal-level officials who failed to make adequate progress. Officials and public representatives were asked to coordinate efforts to meet development targets.The minister called for special attention to tribal and agency areas, directing ITDA project officers to generate employment and take up check dam construction. Development works should be planned according to local geography and people’s living conditions, she said.Seethakka stressed that timely interventions and coordinated efforts were essential to address El Niño-related challenges, strengthen rural infrastructure and ensure livelihoods within villages, reducing the need for workers to migrate in search of employment.