Tribal Stage Padayatra Against Face App for VB-G Ram G Amid Signal Issues

Visakhapatnam: Vyavasaya Karmika Sangham members along with Girijana Sangham held a padayatra in Ravikamatham mandal of Anakapalli district and demanded cancellation of VB-G RAM G scheme, continuation of MGNREGA and withdrawal of mandatory ‘Face Application’ requirement in villages without mobile network coverage.

The tribal march culminated in a massive rally at the Mandal Parishad Development Officer (MPDO) office for uninterrupted employment opportunities and continuation of the MGNREGA scheme.

Residents of villages like T. Ajjapuram, Kotnabilli, Bennavaram, Kalyanalova, Ajaypuram, Jogampeta and Tatiparthi participated in the padayatra from Garnekam to the mandal headquarters.

Villagers from Old Kotnabilli, K. Kotnabilli, K. Gadabhapalem and Ramanna Dorapalem highlighted serious difficulties caused by poor internet connectivity. They explained that they had to climb up to 2 kilometers of hill to access the ‘Face Application’ for retirement and social assistance related works. They called for the establishment of a dedicated base station to alleviate these challenges.

The protesters demanded improvements in welfare services, including Mid-Day Meal facilities for Anganwadi children. They insisted that funds allocated for employment programs in the previous budget should not be allowed to lapse.

They submitted a detailed representation to the MPDO for sanctioning funds for road works under the Employment Guarantee Scheme on lands belonging to PVTG tribals in Z. Bennavaram, issuance of new job cards to 20 people in Z. Jogampeta and inclusion of 18 families in existing job cards.

Among those who conducted the padayatra and spoke at the event were Vyavasaya Karmika Sangham district deputy secretary K. Govinda Rao, Girijana Sangham leaders Padi Bennayya and Singarapu Valasayya, and PVTG Sangham representatives Gammila Vasu, Gammila Raju and Gammila Prasad.