The proposal to merge 14 gram panchayats in the Nalgonda Municipality was opposed by all the opposition parties, except the AIMIM.
Speaking at the Council meeting here on Tuesday ward members said at present the Municipality comprises 40 wards, an addition of more GPs, some as far as 3 kms away would not only cause burden on the organization, but also there would be a setback in funds allotment.
With members from the Bharatiya Janata Party first staging a sit-down at the podium, and raising slogans against the move — the proposal hearing came to a halt when AIMIM councillor Kaleem was not allowed to speak in favor of the idea.
Mr. Kaleem, however, said requirement of labour and workers in the newly merged GPs should be increased.
“There are no CC roads, drainage system and other basic facilities in the already merged seven GPs in 2014, what do we expect now?” councillors from the Congress party asked. Other members staged a walkout.
A lone councillor from the Communist Party of India (M) Md. Salim alleged that the present merger was part of the government’s plan to seek more loans from credit institutions, in the name of urbanization.
Municipal Chairperson Boddupalli Lakshmi who presided said views of all the members were recorded and was being sent to the Municipal Administration Department as required.
