The Hindu 13.10.2010
Merger of local bodies with Corporation gets approval
S.Ganesan
| To come into effect after term of the local bodies next year |
TIRUCHI: The State government has approved and ordered the merger of the Tiruverumbur Town Panchayat, Pappakurichi, Ellakudi, Keezha Kalkandarkottai and Alathur village panchayats, all located in the eastern periphery of the city, with the Tiruchi Corporation.
Geographical spread
Once the merger is through, its geographical spread of the Tiruchi Corporation will increase to 167.23 square kilometres from the existing 146.90 sq km. The population of the Corporation will increase to 7,96,644 from 7,52,066 (figures as per 2001 census).
An order issued by K.Ashok Vardhan Shetty, Principal Secretary, Municipal Administration, said that the merger has been approved after careful consideration of the proposal forwarded by the Corporation and the district administration.
Though the elected councils of the local bodies concerned, except the Pappakurichi village panchayat, have adopted resolutions opposing the proposal, the merger has been approved in public interest and taking into account the rapid urbanisation of these areas, the order said.
Merger after election
The merger would, however, come into effect only after the end of the term of the local bodies next year.
The government order makes it clear that the current term of the elected representatives of the town panchayat and four village panchayats would not be affected due to the merger.
Sources said that places under the five local bodies would come under the Corporation's administrative control only after the next local body election.
A special officer would be appointed and the exercise of delineating the wards under the five local bodies would be taken up before the election. At least one new Corporation zone, possibly with Tiruverambur as headquarters, is likely to be created.
This would ensure that people of the newly added zone were not required to travel to the city for availing the Corporation services, the sources added.
The Pappakurichi Panchayat, with a population of 20,371 (as per 2001 census), spread over an area of 4.92 sq. km., would be the largest local body that is to be merged with the corporation.
The Tiruverambur Town Panchayat has a population of 16,824 spread over an area of 4.16 square km.
The Ellakudi panchayat has control over 4.30 sq.km with a population of 4,831, while the Keezha Kalkandarkottai panchayat has a population of 1,472 in an area of 4.72 sq.km.
The Alathur panchayat would be smallest with a population of just 1,080 in an area of 2.23 square km.
