PUNE: All political parties on Monday stood undivided as the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) decided to return Karnataka government’s award in protest against the dissolution of the Belgaum Municipal Corporation (BMC) recently.

Mayor Vaishali Bankar said, “PMC officials recently received an award declared by the Karnataka government for best solid waste management.

However, an all-party meeting on Monday decided that the award should
be returned considering the Karnataka government’s approach towards
Marathi- speaking people in Belgaum and other areas. The PMC will also
write a letter to the Karnataka government and communicate the PMC’s
displeasure at the turn of events.”

The Karnataka government had
organised a competition for best solid waste management systems. Nearly
200 municipal corporations in the country had participated in the
competition. PMC won the award for best solid waste management. The
award consists of a trophy and a certificate. The award distribution
ceremony took place in Karanataka last week.

The
Marathi-speaking people in Belgaum and other border areas stage protests
on November 1 every year, which is the foundation day of Karnataka
state. As a consequence, the Karnataka government dissolved the Belgaum
Municipal Corporation (BMC). The matter is now sub-judice.

The
Marathi people living here have been demanding merger of some areas
along the Maharashtra-Karnataka border with Maharashtra.