Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao has decided to hike the salaries of Village Organization Assistants (VOA). There are 18,405 VOAs working in the State with salaries ranging from Rs 500 to Rs 1,500 per month. They are paid salaries based on the respective Village organizations, strength of members and the financial condition.
The VOAs are upset that there was no match between the kind of work they were doing and the salaries that are paid to them. They wanted the government to pay some salary along with the amount paid by the village organizations. In the united AP State, VOAs had represented their case to the government several times but nobody responded.
Against this backdrop, the Chief Minister held a special meeting with the VOAs in Pragathi Bhavan here on Wednesday. He gave a patient hearing to their problems and assured that every VOA would get a salary of Rs 5,000 per month. The Village Committees will pay Rs 2,000 and the government will pay Rs 3,000. He said the government would give its share through SERP. Supervisors should ensure that the Village Organizations pay Rs 2,000 as their share to the VOA.
“The State government was taking all measures to strengthen the rural economy. As part of this, women in the Self Help DWCRA groups should also be strengthened financially. Women groups in the State are doing an excellent work. They have earned a good name. Besides saving money they should also start cottage industries. The DWCRA women should process the produce from the village to suit to the market demands. Prepare consumer products which are in demand such as Chilli and Turmeric powder, Papads, Khara Mixture and so on. We will give the necessary training to the DWCRA women and extend all help. Study how women groups are working in other States and countries like Bangladesh. We will prepare a comprehensive plan and implement it”, the Chief Minister said.
Ministers T Harish Rao, Jupally Krishna Rao, Government’s Chief Advisor Rajiv Sharma, SERF CEO Neetu Prasad, CMO Principal Secretary S Narsing Rao and others were present. (NSS)