Manali has a population of only 8,090 people and even after merging
hundreds of villages surrounding it with the urban area, the population
totals up to only 44,212 and thus it is not eligible to become a
corporation, claim BJP leaders. According to Himachal Pradesh Municipal Corporation
Act, 1994, any urban area with population exceeding 50,000 and
generating annual revenue exceeding Rs 2 crore for local administration
is eligible to become a municipal corporation.

Cabinet minister
Sudhir Sharma in a recent press conference in Palampur had announced to
establish five new municipal corporations in the state, including
Manali. “Neither is the decision in favour of Manali, nor had the
residents asked for it,” said former Kullu MLA Chander Sen Thakur in a
press conference. He said if the government plans to merge surrounding
villages to constitute a corporation, it would prove fatal for
villagers. “If we include all villages of Manali tehsil to form a
municipal corporation, the population still would be less than 50,00. It
is possible only by amending the law,” Thakur added.

Villages
act as small judiciaries to solve their own matters and urbanization
will finish their existence. He said villagers would be liable to carry
extra burden of house taxes as part of a municipal corporation.