Daman district panchayat chief Ketan Patel has moved a proposal of merger of union territory of Daman with Maharashtra state. Patel has reportedly proposed such merger before party high commands in centre.

However district panchayat chief’s this proposal has attracted sharp criticism from opposition party BJP. The BJP head of Diu & Daman has also presented that how this decision can affect the union territory.

B M Machhi, President of BJP’s Daman unit stated that there are nearly 2500 small scale industries in Daman and Diu and if the provinces are merged with Maharashtra this will bring these industries to an abrupt end. The reason is that electricity in Maharashtra is three times pricier than what it it now, hence the people will not be able to afford the rising expenses, and will be forced to shut down their venture.

He also added that Ketan Patel had tried to privatize the electricity department of Daman and Diu. But due to heavy opposition from BJP the electricity department was not privatized.

It is also remarkable that the prices of Petrol and Diesel are less in Daman compared to other Indian states including Maharashtra. If Daman is merged with Maharashtra than the small union territory will have to face the high prices of fuel and excise. The province of Diu and Daman is doing well due to the hospitality industry and the merger will result in high prices of alcohol, affecting the industry as per the BJP President.

B M Machhi said that Ketan Patel should have taken the opinion of the people of Diu and Daman before proposing union territory’s merger with Maharashtra.