Members of the GHMC Council cutting across party lines expressed concerns on the move to merge the gram panchayats despite opposition from the municipal corporation. They were unanimous in voicing concerns that while the GHMC was struggling to manage its meagre resources, budget and manpower to take care of present jurisdiction, adding more area would only worsen the situation.
Telugu Desam Party floor leader Singireddy Srinivas Reddy set the tone for the debate by lambasting the merger orders issued by the State government without respecting the sentiments of the civic body and the realities on the ground. He said adequate finances and staff were not there to manage affairs at present and wondered how the new areas would be attended to and developed.
Congress floor leader Diddi Rambabu, suggested that an all-party delegation meet Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy to impress upon him the issues and concerns of the corporators and the municipal corporation. MIM floor leader Mohammed Nazeeruddin disapproved the GHMC Commissioner taking charge of the newly merged gram panchayats and asked him to consider the consequences and challenges of the addition of new areas. “In Hyderabad itself, we are unable to manage roads and other basic amenities, what are we going to do there?” he wondered. Other members also objected the merger decision, which they said was taken without consulting any of the stakeholders including the local residents there.
Meet on September 23
The GHMC Council adjourned after the debate on the merger.
It will meet on September 23 again.
