Gandhinagar: Finance Minister Kanubhai Desai today made announcement to give Municipal Corporation status to Nadiad and Porbandar-Chhaya.

Finance Minister announced government’s decision to convert the status of local body of self governance in Porbandar-Chhaya and Nadiad from Municipality to Municipal Corporation. Finance Minister made this announcement in the State assembly.

Earlier this month, in his budget speech, Desai had announced Municipal Corporation status to 7 municipalities. They were Navsari, Gandhidham, Morbi, Vapi, Anand, Mahesana, and Surendranagar-Wadhvan will convert into Municipalities.

Finance Minister had in his budget speech said, – “The rate of urbanization is increasing in the state. It is estimated that around 50 per cent of the state’s population is currently living in urban areas and this percentage will go up to 75 per cent by 2047. Urban centres are not only as places to live but also hubs for economic development. It is the government’s resolve to plan cities in a manner that they allow citizens ease of living. For the improved management of towns, I propose the conversion of 7 Nagarpalikas namely Navsari, Gandhidham, Morbi, Vapi, Anand, Mehsana and Surendranagar-Wadhwan into municipal corporations. This decision will lead to a more rapid development of these towns, and will also improve the services and facilities available to the citizens.”

Porbandar Congress MLA Arjun Modhwadia who has been in news recently for possibilities of him joining ruling BJP, welcomed the decision and thanked the State government while speaking to media. He said while Porbandar is birth place of Mahatma Gandhi, Nadiad is birth place of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Nadiad MLA Pankaj Desai also welcomed the decision and said, Nadiad is fast developing city located in the middle of Ahmedabad and Vadodara. People love to live here as they can go to job in both cities and return to home.

With this, nine new Municipal Corporation bodies will come up in Gujarat. At present Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Vadodara, Surat, Rajkot, Jamnagar, Bhavnagar and Junagadh enjoy Municipal Corporation status. DeshGujarat