VIJAYAWADA: The State Government’s proposal to accord greater status for Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) has been evoking mixed responses from civic associations and Left parties in the city.
However, VMC officials said that the proposal for greater status was brought to the notice of the government after conducting a ground level survey and willingness from respective panchayat members.
A few months ago, VMC unanimously passed a resolution proposing to merge 46 villages to expand its territory up to Gannavaram, Nunna, Tadigadapa, Poranki, Gollapudi and Yanamalakuduru villages surrounding the city. The process expedited only after Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu’s whirlwind tour in the city on October 14.
Taxpayers association general secretary M V Anjaneyulu said that the city is witnessing rapid urbanisation after being announced as part of the State capital Amaravati. VMC has not considered impact of urbanisation on cities like Chennai, Hyderabad and Delhi which were keen to attain greater status. He explained how vacant lands between each household will be reduced and comprehensive drainage system will be ruined.,
For instance, well developed countries like the US, Germany and England are providing necessary infrastructure at the rural areas rather than developing larger cities. In addition to that, development was decentralised and necessary funds were allocated for the improvement of drainage system and road infrastructure.
The civic body should replicate the same in Vijayawada rather than transforming the city suburbs into concrete jungles. Moreover, VMC is not equipped with enough sanitation staff and is not in a position to supply 24/7 drinking water in the city, added the general secreatry.CPM State leader Ch Babu Rao questioned that on what parameters did the State Government issue directions in according greater status to VMC. “Did the civic body conduct any scientific analysis which include status of density of population, panchayat revenue and non agriculture profession?
Moreover several people in the panchayats have a conception that taxation would increase once they are included in the municipal corporation. The State government should solve the queries of the public and decentralise the administration. An assurance should be given by the government in providing financial grant to VMC for at least 10 years to improve the basic infrastructure and amenities at the respective panchayats. An all party meeting should be convened by the government before merging the villages and according greater status to VMC, he said.
Speaking to TNIE, Municipal Commissioner J Nivas said that 46 villages are going to be merged with Vijayawada and will be divided into four zones with 1.2 lakh population each. A zonal commissioner will be appointed for each zone after taking the geographical condition into consideration, he informed.
Jakkampudi, Gollapudi and Ibrahimpatnam will be identified as zone- I; Ambapuram, Ramavarappadu and Prasadampadu will form zone-II, Kanuru, Poranki, Penamaluru and Yanamalakuduru will form zone-III and Gannavaram will be zone-IV.The city will be divided for administrative convenience. A team of officials have conducted a survey in the respective panchayats and have taken their opinions into consideration before proceeding towards greater status. Nivas added that taxation will remain the same even if the villages are merged into the corporation.