Indian Express 20.01.2010
Haryana govt plans creation of 7 municipal corporations
Even as elections to municipal councils, including those of twin MCs of Ambala, are scheduled for April, the Haryana government is pondering over a proposal to form municipal corporations in seven towns.
Official sources said the state government was considering forming municipal corporations for Ambala-Ambala Sadar, Yamunanagar-Jagadhri, Panchkula-Kalka, Rohtak, Hisar, Panipat and Karnal. Two towns — Faridabad and Gurgaon — already have corporations and with the creation of the seven new ones, the number of corporations in the state will reach nine.
The Local Development Department, said reliable sources, had sent a proposal to Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda for approval. Once the proposal is approved, it would be presented before the state Cabinet and is likely to be introduced before April, when municipal elections are to be held.
Sources said the government was serious about the proposal as the existing councils were facing financial difficulties in undertaking development projects. The government feels with the formation of corporations, citizens would get better civic amenities as corporations have sufficient budgets unlike councils.
Twin cities of Ambala, Yamunagar-Jagadhri, Panchkula-Kalka have been identified to fulfil the requirements of becoming corporations, while Rohtak, Hisar, Panipat and Karnal, with their expanded areas and population, will become corporations with full requisitions.
Since the corporations get sufficient financial aid from the Centre, they don’t face financial implications in carrying out developmental works, whereas municipal councils face a financial crunch. Besides, a corporation is headed by an IAS officer with an elected mayor who can work independently unlike presidents of municipal councils who are elected by councillors.
