THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: It seems, growing big is not that easy for the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation. The local body, which is all set to grow into 100 wards with the amalgamation of five panchayats, would have to wait yet another week before its destiny is sealed.
With the five panchayats - Sreekariyam, Vizhinjam, Kudappanakkunnu, Vattiyoorkavu and Kazhakkoottam - raising objection to the merger, it now depends on the hearing scheduled for July 14 to end the suspense. The delimitation process of the City Corporation would officially come to an end only with the court verdict in this respect.
This, when majority of local bodies have published the draft delimitation report with the survey maps. Though the City Corporation has completed the delimitation procedures and even come up with a new ward map, it is not final with the court order pending.
According to sources, the Delimitation Commission cannot accept the draft and get on with the completion of procedures until the court proceedings get over. ``It is late now, but with the pace in which things are moving, more technical snags would be encountered with every delay made,’’ sources said. The discrepancies in the electoral rolls withstanding, things would not be a smooth ride for the local body even if it gains a court order in favour of the amalgamation.
While uncertainty reigns, the statements by UDF members in the capital continue, with the Congress leaders accusing the CPM of cutting the wards in whatever way those chose.
According to Congress leaders, the unscientific division of panchayats into wards would not just steal the essence of the region, but would leave half the political representatives jobless.
The panchayats, on the other hand, have kept their fingers crossed. Earlier instances of amalgamation of panchayats had not taken the concern of the respective panchayats with any seriousness, which leaves the five panchayats with less hopes.
The five panchayats which were added last have still not recovered from the additional tax burdens and lack of extra staff to manage the affairs of the amalgamated panchayats has made matters at the Corporation worse too.
trivandrum@expressbuzz.com