Demand to exclude Fursungi and Uruli Devachi from PMC and setting up of new municipal corporation guided only by political considerations
Pune : NpNews24 Online – Pune PMC – Uruli Devachi – Fursungi |After a decision was taken to exclude villages of Uruli Devachi and Fursungi from the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) which had been included in civic limits five years ago, a demand is being made for exclusion of more villages. A demand is also being made to set up a separate municipal corporation for Hadapsar and Wagholi. Those politicians who had demanded inclusion of these villages in PMC limits are now demanding their exclusion from civic limits. This has created confusion. The decisions which are being taken only for political gains, ignoring the failure in providing civic amenities in these villages, is likely to have a detrimental effect on the city’s development. (Pune PMC – Uruli Devachi – Fursungi)
For more than 60 years, the PMC’s boundary was expanded. Pune is known as an industrial and educational hub and settlements expanded outside PMC limits and later, they were included in civic limits and this has been an ongoing process. In the recent past, in 1997, 37 villages were included in PMC limits. Thirty four villages which were fully or partly excluded at that time, were included in PMC limits in the last five years.
However, during the 20 years, there were many problems in villages excluded from civic limits because of lack of funds. Because the population increased, many illegal structures were built. The villages became known for narrow roads, irregular water supply, improper management of garbage and lack of drainage lines and storm water drains. Even after setting up of PMRDA, it was made binding for the builder to supply water till the water supply system is established in these villages. This highlights the pathetic state of affairs in these villages.
In such circumstances, CM and UDD Minister Eknath Shinde announced exclusion of Fursungi and Uruli Devachi villages from civic limits because of the high rate of the property tax. Hadapsar MLA Chetan Tupe made a demand that a separate municipal corporation should be set up for Hadapsar and nearby areas. Guardian Minister Chandrakant Patil has sent a letter to UDD based on a letter sent by a citizen that a separate municipal corporation should be set up for Wagholi and Hadapsar or a separate municipal corporation should be set up for Wagholi or a separate development plan should be prepared for Wagholi and funds should be allocated. Since the UDD has sought response from citizens, this has resulted in speculation.
While including 34 villagers in PMC limits, objections and suggestions had been invited from the citizens. After a hearing was held on these objections and suggestions, the approval of city improvement, standing committees and GB was taken before the state government took the final decision to include these villages in PMC limits.
All parties had given their approval for the merger of these villages with the PMC. Politicians are aware that it is impossible for the PMC or the state government to provide all facilities in three to five years in an area spread over more than 200 kilometres. Still, the excuses of lack of amenities and property tax are being given to support a demand for their exclusion, which is being purely guided by political considerations.
The PMC and PMRDA have prepared a DP of included villages and the DP is waiting to be approved. The PMC is managing the garbage in these villages and has started work of laying of water supply and drainage lines.
Considering their geographical location, huge funds will be required to provide the basic amenities and it may take three to five years to do so. However, if these villages are excluded from civic limits and if a separate municipal corporation is set up, no politician is willing to specify how many years it will take to provide basic amenities in these villages.
Hence, whether it is about exclusion of villages or the demand of setting up of a separate municipal corporation, this is being done only for ensuring political gains and the common man stands to lose the most as he will have to do without basic amenities.
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