: The State government’s bid to make additions to the list of new municipalities, and time constraint, may upset the July 31 deadline for completing the delimitation of local bodies.
Official sources told The Hindu that the late decision to constitute Feroke and Kondotty municipalities had slowed down the delimitation process, which was gaining momentum. The Delimitation Commission is trying to complete its work by July 31, but alleged government apathy could upset even the election schedule. As holding of elections once in five years is a constitutional responsibility, the government cannot defer it beyond September, but the plans are likely to go awry owing to poor preparedness.
After issuing the preliminary notification to constitute 60 municipalities on January 25, the final notification came out on April 25. Then the preliminary notification for Feroke and Kondotty was issued. The final notification is to be issued and this would impede the entire process.
Redrawing the limits of one unit cannot be done in isolation. Though the proposal is to form 69 new grama panchayats and 32 new municipalities, the commission will have to rework the boundaries of 400 local bodies. This includes the limits of 204 existing panchayats and about 45 municipalities. Already objections have been raised against the proposals and most local bodies are gearing up to move the court. The commission will also have to rework the boundaries of 15 blocks and district panchayats.
Redrawing of ward boundaries have to be completed by July 31.
