What was envisioned as a revolutionary grassroots governance system is now turning into a source of unbearable pressure and fear. Village and ward secretariat staff across Andhra Pradesh are collapsing under excessive workloads, political interference, and continuous harassment. Several employees have died due to heart attacks, illness, or suicide, while others have attempted self-harm. Staff unions and colleagues states that the coalition government’s policies are pushing employees to breaking point and dismantling a system that once delivered welfare at people’s doorsteps.
Rising workload, rising deaths
Secretariat employees are being suffocated by extreme workloads, pressure from higher officials, and humiliation from ruling party leaders. Many are reportedly suffering from stress-related illnesses and cardiac problems. Others, unable to cope, have taken their own lives.
Employees argue that a system created with long-term vision and decentralised governance goals is being weakened. They accuse the current administration of imposing retaliatory workloads and unrealistic targets.
Volunteer system scrapped, burden shifted
Under the previous government, village and ward secretariats worked alongside a volunteer system with clearly defined roles. Volunteers conducted door-to-door outreach, collected socio-economic data, and helped deliver welfare schemes, pensions, certificates, and emergency aid during crises such as COVID and natural disasters.
Now, after the volunteer system was discontinued, all those responsibilities have reportedly been transferred to secretariat employees. Fever surveys, social surveys, and multiple field duties are now assigned to them. Many employees are handling multiple clusters, drastically increasing their workload. Staff say they are being stretched beyond human limits.
Duties at Toilets and ritual sites spark anger
Assigning secretariat staff to sanitation and crowd duties during religious events has triggered strong resentment. During Maha Shivaratri celebrations from the 14th to 16th of this month in Mukteswaram village (NTR district), employees were assigned duties at parking areas, main roads, bathing ghats, women’s changing rooms, and toilets. Three daily shifts were scheduled from 4 AM to 11 PM.
Separate staff were posted at men’s and women’s toilets, and even at ritual offering sites (pind pradanam locations). The government warned of strict action against absence or “irresponsible behavior.” Employees say such assignments are far removed from their designated roles and add to humiliation and stress.
Heart attack deaths increasing
In December 2025 alone, 12 secretariat employees reportedly died of heart attacks. These included digital assistants, welfare secretaries, welfare assistants, and women police staff. Colleagues link many of these deaths to work pressure and mental stress.
Recent tragic cases
Several recent incidents have shocked the workforce:
- Feb 10, 2026: Nandamuru (Vijayawada Rural): Woman police staff member Narumanchi Lalitha (43) died by suicide. Colleagues say she was under severe pressure after staff transfers increased her workload.
- Feb 10, 2026: Vatsavai (NTR district): Digital assistant Guvvala Ashok (33) was found dead near a canal during a morning walk. Though registered as a suspicious death, staff believe work stress played a role.
- Feb 9, 2026: Annamayya district: Welfare assistant B. Subrahmanyam (36) died by suicide.
- Jan 18, 2026: Kadapa: G. Vijayakumari (42) reportedly died after severe stress. Family members say she received warning calls from higher officials over pending surveys.
- Dec 2025: Prakasam district: Welfare assistant Yesamala Padmakar Rao died following illness linked by colleagues to work stress.
- Dec 2025: Vijayawada: Welfare secretary Viswanath (45) collapsed from a heart attack while preparing for duty.
- Dec 2025: Tadepalli: Sanitation secretary Pravalika died suddenly.
- Jan 28, 2026: Kakinada: Welfare secretary Venkatalakshmi passed away.
- Nandyal district: Digital assistant Madhushekhar attempted self-harm at the secretariat building due to work pressure and survived after timely medical care.
Administrative Pressure and Penalties
Employees cite several policy pressures:
- Orders requiring staff to attend surveys within strict timelines while also delivering door-to-door services.
- A government decision that digital assistants must pass the UIDAI-mandated NSEIT certification exam by March or lose their next annual increment.
- On Feb 3, 2026, seven secretariat employees in Done were suspended for alleged negligence in the Akshara Andhra survey.
- On Jan 27, 2026, an MLA from Amadalavalasa reportedly made derogatory remarks calling secretariats “useless,” which deeply hurt employee morale.
System under strain
Employees say the original goal of decentralised governance and doorstep delivery of welfare is being undermined. Instead of strengthening the system, they feel it is being overburdened and demoralised. Many now fear that unless workloads and harassment reduce, more tragedies may follow.
A Cry for relief
For many secretariat employees, this is no longer just a job : it is a daily struggle between duty and survival. Behind every statistic is a family that lost someone, a colleague who broke down, or an employee silently enduring pressure.Staff across districts are now calling for humane workloads, role clarity, and protection from political and administrative pressure. Their message is simple: governance cannot run on the exhaustion and despair of its own workers.
