Some villages agree to merge with cities, some others refusing

Surat/Ahmedabad, 3 December 2014

The government of Gujarat had asked Surat district panchayat to submit reply that how many village panchayats want to merger with Surat Municipal Corporation. The district panchayat had forwarded this inquiry to 36 village panchayats. Of them 7 villages have conveyed their wish to join Surat city, while 29 villages have turned down the proposal.

7 villages that have replied positively are Saroli, Khambhasala, Saniya Kande, Karadav, Iklera, Bhanodra and Mohni. While those village panchayats that have turned down the proposal to join Surat city limit are Abrama, Bharthana Kosad, Khadsad, Valak, Kosmada, Saniya Hemad, Vedchha Chhedchha, Sabargam, Niyol, Sedhav, Saroli, Kumbhariya, Devadh, Kharvasa, Pardi Kande, Malgama, Bhatpor, Ichchapor, Asarma, Bhesan, Okha, Vanankla, Vehel, Bhatha, Kadifaliya and Sachin.

Similar exercise is going on in Ahmedabad district also where 15 village panchayats including Bopal, Ghuma, Shela, Rancharda and Koteshwar are asked whether they wish to merge with Ahmedabad city or not. It is known how many of them have replied positively, but at least Bopal and Ghuma have reportedly replied positively. AMC’s limits are upto the Sardar Patel ring road at present. If proposed merger is okayed, AMC’s diameter will increase by about 4 kms.

State Minister Nitin Patel is the Chairman of the Delimitation Committee of the state government. The exercise of merger according to him is important for delimitation of wards and implementation of 50% reservation for women. Local body elections including the elections for municipal corporations, municipalities and panchayats are scheduled to take place in last quarter of next year.

Why some villages in Surat district refused to join the city:
-Adverse effect on those who survive on cattle.
-Increase in taxes including water connection charge burden.
-40% land acquisition in case of town planning scheme execution. In that case, adverse impact on farmers.
-No Sarpanch.
-Longer travel to get birth/death certificate, tax submission etc.