This sarpanch sells vegetables for a living!

Tandur (Ranga Reddy): Sarpanch, Rukkubai, of Veerareddipalli village in Tandur mandal of Ranga Reddy district is a different kind. She is busy selling vegetables, thus rendering social service. She sells vegetables grown by her in the local market. Although some onlookers express surprise over the sarpanch selling vegetables, Rukkubai defends her activity, saying it helps feed her family.

A Girijan, she had caused a stir in 2013 by winning from a general seat, set apart for women. Initially, she was active politically, giving up agriculture, but started selling vegetables after finding it difficult to feed her family. Now she devotes equal attention to the post and farm work. She strives to ensure payment of pensions and food security cards to residents.

Villagers are happy with the sarpanch, who is doing both social and public services. They praise her bold nature in striving to solve people’s problems. Rukkubai is critical of the State government for allegedly not releasing funds required for taking up development works in the village, like water supply and street-lighting.

This bias, she says, is causing severe hardship to residents. The sarpanch alleges that local TRS leadership has been exerting pressure on her to switch over to the party. However, she expresses confidence of working for public welfare, without resorting to manipulation.

By:G Ashok Kumar