The Indian Express               05.07.2013

Civic body gives nod, 7 more villages to be added to its limits

The state government had earlier sought the civic
administration’s opinion on the inclusion of more villages to the list
of 28 villages proposed to be merged with PMC limits. In its response
tabled in the standing committee meeting, Municipal Commissioner Mahesh
Pathak said the seven villages were geographically located adjoining to
the area earlier proposed to be merged in the civic jurisdiction and
hence could be added to the list.

While Vadgaonsheri village had already got the civic
administration’s nod, Pathak said, the other six villages could be
included in the PMC limits too. He, however, added: “Bringing more
villages under PMC limits is going to put pressure on the existing civic
facilities. Thus, there should be financial assistance to develop
infrastructure to meet the demand for civic facilities in the newly
proposed areas. Also, the strength of civic staff should be increased
for strengthening civic facilities in the new areas and there should be
an increase water quota for the city.”

In October 2012, the state government notified its intention on inclusion of 28 more
villages in the PMC jurisdiction and redefine the boundaries of the city
in all directions. Later, the government received the demand for adding
seven more villages to the list, after which it sought the civic
administration’s opinion on it.

In 1997, when the Shiv Sena-BJP combine was in power in the
state, the PMC had decided to include 38 villages in its jurisdiction
keeping in mind rapid urbanisation. However, 15 villages were dropped
from the list following opposition from villagers.

In 2007, the civic administration proposed to bring these 15 villages
under the PMC jurisdiction, but a lack of consensus on the issue delayed
the decision. It came up for discussion again in December 2011 but a
decision on it was further delayed by the elected representatives. The
state government then added 13 villages to this list and later increased
the number to 28, before proposing the inclusion of seven more
villages.