Assembly Approves New Names for Local Centers
The Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly has officially passed a significant bill to rename the existing administrative hubs in the state. Moving forward, all Village and Ward Secretariats will be identified as “Swarna Grama” and “Swarna Ward” Secretariats. This change marks a shift in the branding of local governance under the current administration.
Minister for Social Welfare, Dola Bala Veeranjaneya Swamy, introduced the bill during the ongoing session. He explained that the transition is not merely a change in name but a step toward more effective service delivery. The government aims to strengthen these centers to better reach citizens at the grassroots level.
One of the primary goals of this initiative is to move these offices into permanent government buildings. Currently, many secretariats operate from rented spaces or temporary structures. By establishing dedicated government premises, the state hopes to provide a more professional environment for both employees and the public.
In addition to infrastructure changes, the bill addresses the career growth of the staff working in these secretariats. The Minister noted that the government is focused on providing better promotion opportunities for the employees. This move is intended to boost morale and improve the overall efficiency of local administration.
The “Swarna Grama” initiative is being promoted as a cornerstone of the state’s vision for a developed Andhra Pradesh. The government believes that by revitalizing these local centers, they can ensure that welfare schemes and essential services are implemented more transparently.
Opposition members raised questions during the discussion regarding the costs associated with the rebranding exercise. However, the treasury benches maintained that the long-term benefits of structural improvements would outweigh the initial expenses. The bill was passed following a brief but intense debate in the house.
With the legal process complete, the state administration will now begin the task of updating signage and digital records across thousands of locations. Citizens can expect to see the new “Swarna Grama” and “Swarna Ward” branding appearing in their local neighborhoods over the coming months as the transition takes full effect.
