KCR hiked the salaries of Village Organization Assistants (VOA)

Hyderabad, March 01: Telangana Chief Minister Sri K. Chandrashekar 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, the strength of members and the financial situation.

The VOAs are upset that there is no match between the kind of work they are 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 have represented their case to the government in a number of occasions but nobody responded. Against this backdrop, the CM held a special meeting with the VOAs in Pragathi Bhavan here on Wednesday.



He gave a patient hearing to their problems. He assured that each and every VOA in the State 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 that the government would give its share through SERP. The Supervisors should ensure that the Village Organizations would pay Rs. 2,000 as their share to the VOA.

KCR said that, "The government is 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."

He also told that," Prepare consumer products which are in demand such as Chilli and Turmeric powder, Papads, Khara Mixture etc., Only this quality products the consumers will get unadulterated products. 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 CM added.

Ministers Sri T. Harish Rao, Sri Jupally Krishna Rao, Government’s Chief Advisor Sri Rajiv Sharma, SERF CEO Ms Neetu Prasad, CMO Principal Secretary Sri S. Narsing Rao and others participated.