Context: The Andhra Pradesh Volunteer System, once a flagship grassroots governance model, faces uncertainty after the new government discontinued payments to over 2.6 lakh volunteers since June 2024.
About Andhra Pradesh Volunteer System:
- How the Volunteer System Works?
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- Established in 2019, it deployed 2.6 lakh village and ward volunteers, each responsible for 40-50 households.
- Volunteers acted as last-mile connectors, ensuring direct delivery of welfare schemes to beneficiaries.
- Paid an honorarium of ₹5,000/month, with an election promise to increase it to ₹10,000.
- Impact on Governance:
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- Strengthened Decentralization: Enabled efficient distribution of pensions, ration supplies, and healthcare benefits.
- COVID-19 Pandemic Response: Played a critical role in delivering food, medicine, and financial aid during lockdowns.
- Bridged the Bureaucratic Gap: Provided real-time data and feedback to policymakers for targeted interventions.
- Political Controversy: Allegations of misuse for political gains, data breaches, and biased beneficiary selection.
- Employment for Rural Youth: Offered temporary livelihood, but lacked permanent job security or skill development.
Relevance in UPSC Exam Syllabus:
- GS Paper 2: Governance & Public Administration
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- Case study on decentralized governance and welfare delivery.
- Role of grassroots workers in public service delivery.
- GS Paper 3: Inclusive Development & Social Justice
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- State-led employment schemes & financial sustainability of welfare programs.
- Challenges in last-mile service delivery.
- GS Paper 4: Ethics & Integrity in Public Administration
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- Moral responsibility of governments in handling temporary employment.
- Case study on ethical governance & policy discontinuation.
- Essay Topics & Case Studies
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- “Decentralization & Citizen Participation in Governance”.
- “Balancing Political Promises with Administrative Feasibility”.
