Mahabubnagar Congress MLA Yennam Srinivasa Reddy is calling for systemic reform for similar outreach to constituencies.
Published Oct 27, 2025 | 12:53 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 27, 2025 | 4:36 PM
Telangana Congress MLA Yennam Srinivas Reddy. Credit: x.com/palamuru
Synopsis: Telangana MLAs, frustrated by bureaucratic delays and fund shortages, demand a structured, monthly fund allocation for constituency projects. Small-scale works like repairing roads or drains, costing just a few lakhs, are vital for public goodwill and strengthening Congress’s grassroots image. MLA Yennam Srinivasa Reddy proposes a Rs 5,000 crore monthly fund to empower MLAs, reduce red tape, and deliver visible, trust-building local development.
A need is emerging for a structured, time-bound mechanism to ensure a steady flow of funds for constituency-level projects in Telangana. Legislators argue that the lack of such a system is clipping their wings, limiting their ability to serve people effectively and strengthen the party’s image at the grassroots.
Many MLAs feel that small-scale works—often requiring just a few lakh rupees—hold the key to public goodwill.
“These modest projects can move mountains when it comes to winning hearts,” they say, warning that the current vacuum risks alienating voters and weakening the Congress’s base.
Their frustration runs deep. The MLAs complain of bureaucratic roadblocks and fund crunches that delay even minor works such as repairing local roads, restoring drains, or fixing village water systems. “We are left twiddling our thumbs,” one legislator said, summing up the sense of helplessness.
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In the days of the undivided Andhra Pradesh, former chief minister late YS Rajasekhar Reddy had set the bar high. He met MLAs daily, listening to their concerns and acting swiftly on small, local problems. This hands-on approach earned him a reputation as a leader who could turn even a trickle of funds into a flood of goodwill.
Mahabubnagar Congress MLA Yennam Srinivasa Reddy is calling for systemic reform for similar outreach to constituencies.
Speaking to South First, he said: “Fixing a village road or a broken drainage line may seem small, but it changes how people see the government. These works are not just about infrastructure—they are about trust.”
But Reddy admits that MLAs today are hamstrung. “We feel helpless,” he says.
“We hesitate to visit villages because we can’t act on people’s grievances. Works costing just Rs 1 lakh or Rs 2 lakh remain pending. Too often, our job is reduced to attending weddings or ceremonies instead of solving real problems.”
Reddy’s proposal is as bold as it is simple—a monthly fund allocation for each of the 119 Assembly constituencies, much like government salaries. “If salaries are paid regularly, why not constituency funds?” he asks. “With a steady inflow, we can plan and execute local projects in coordination with district collectors.”
He points out that village-level problems often need pocket-sized solutions—a repaired pump, a school approach road, or a clean drain. But with no discretionary funds at hand, collectors too are left watching from the sidelines. The result: public resentment grows, and faith in governance fades.
Reddy also offers a financial roadmap. “The government spends around Rs 3,000 crore a year on salaries—about Rs 250 crore a month,” he explains.
“If Rs 5,000 crore is allocated yearly for constituency development, each constituency can receive its share for local works. Even a modest monthly allotment could fund dozens of projects that directly improve people’s lives.”
The MLA and his colleagues believe that a streamlined fund flow could be a game-changer. While MPs enjoy the MPLAD scheme, MLAs lack any equivalent system.
“We hear promises about constituency funds, but they never come on time,” Reddy laments. “If the Chief Minister and Finance Minister can design an automated mechanism, funds can flow without red tape strangling progress.”
Reddy goes a step further—he suggests borrowing to fund development. “If the state can borrow Rs 1 lakh crore for welfare schemes, why not for local works?” he asks.
“Welfare schemes are vital, but their impact is uncertain. Development works in constituencies, on the other hand, deliver visible results—and political dividends.”
He illustrates with an example: “Repairing a road leading to a school or hospital may cost less than Rs 1 lakh, but its impact is huge. It changes how a whole community perceives governance.”
Reddy’s pitch comes at a crucial time for the Congress government, which is juggling welfare ambitions and fiscal pressures. Many legislators feel that ignoring small-scale works could be a political self goal.
“When people see a repaired road they feel the government is on their side,” Reddy notes. “These small victories speak louder than grand promises. They build trust and loyalty, especially in rural Telangana,” he says.
He and others argue that a structured funding system will not only empower MLAs but also fortify the Congress’s grassroots machinery. Regular engagement through visible, impactful projects, they say, keeps the connection between people and government alive.
“We’re not asking for massive investments,” Reddy clarifies. “We’re talking about small, targeted works that touch lives. Spending Rs 2 lakh in a village can often do more good than a large welfare scheme that people barely notice.”
(Edited by Amit Vasudev)
