The prestigious volunteer service scheme launched by the AP govt touted to be its ear and eyes may soon come to an end. The volunteers in Guntur District are angry over the fact that they are being paid a mere Rs 5000 monthly when drivers of Mobile Dispensing Units (ration delivery) are being paid a sum of Rs 21,000. As a result, all volunteers from the district gathered at the BR Stadium in the city to protest against the pay parity. They lamented their concerns saying that they were being made to do labour work for a paltry sum, adding that the government failed to honour its promise of hiking their pay post a year. The volunteers issued an ultimatum to the YSRCP government saying that they would stop working if they aren’t paid Rs 12000 monthly.
Not concerned with ration door delivery
Despite the government’s orders asking volunteers to co-ordinate with ration door delivery, the latter says that they are not concerned. The volunteers made it clear that they cannot go behind the ration delivery vehicles all throughout the day lifting heavy bags, thereby slowing down ration delivery services in urban areas. Without the co-operation of volunteers, it has become a headache for ration delivery. This has resulted in one vehicle being stationed at a designated spot and beneficiaries need to go to the location for collecting their ration.
