DC | M. Roushan Ali | 4 hours 28 min ago
Hyderabad: The state government on Saturday issued orders for the expansion of the city by merging 15 gram panchayats, which are prime real estate areas, with the GHMC. Greater Hyderabad will now cover 750 sq. km, from 625 sq. km earlier, though the increase in population would be only five lakh.
The expansion coming at this juncture fuelled speculation that it has been done to protect the interests of realtors, builders, developers and political leaders from Seemandhra who own large tracts of land in the HMDA area and that a bigger Hyderabad city would present a stronger case for a Union Territory.
Telangana protagonists alleged that approximately eight lakh acres is owned by people from Seemandhra in the HMDA area spread over 7,100 sq. km. “This looks like a move by the state government to protect the land and properties of Seemandhra people.
In case the Centre takes over law and order, land and revenue, taxation and civic administration of the GHMC, this expansion will be used to protect the land and properties of Seemandhra contractors and also share revenues,” Telangana Political JAC convener Prof. Kodandaram told this correspondent. He opposed the city’s expansion and said a delegation will meet Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan and demand withdrawal of the merger.
BJP, MIM, TRS oppose 15-village merger deal
Municipal administration principal secretary Adhar Sinha downplayed the issue stating it was proposed long back and the order (GO 407) was issued after court cases were disposed of.
Sources in the municipal administration department said 21 more gram panchayats that are contiguous with the GHMC would also be merged with the state capital in about three weeks, taking its geographical spread to 1,000-sq km. In all, 38 gram panchayats are proposed to be merged with the GHMC.
BJP state president G. Kishan Reddy termed it as an irresponsible move by the government. “Utter chaos is prevailing. What is the need to issue orders for merger of 15 villages with the city at this critical juncture,” he said.
Hyderabad MP and MIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi said the expansion orders will create more controversy in the light of the Congress decision to bifurcate the state. “A delegation of MIM leaders will meet CM N. Kiran Kumar Reddy and municipal administration minister M. Maheedhar Reddy seeking withdrawal of orders to merge villages with the city,” he said. Owaisi said the government should have respected the resolution passed by the GHMC’s elected body.
TRS MLA T. Harish Rao said it is a move to protect real estate interests of Seemandhra people. “There is no public interest involved in it as neither the people nor other political parties have been consulted. The TRS will oppose it tooth and nail,” he added.
States: Andhra Pradesh
Hyderabad: The state government on Saturday issued orders for the expansion of the city by merging 15 gram panchayats, which are prime real estate areas, with the GHMC. Greater Hyderabad will now cover 750 sq. km, from 625 sq. km earlier, though the increase in population would be only five lakh.
The expansion coming at this juncture fuelled speculation that it has been done to protect the interests of realtors, builders, developers and political leaders from Seemandhra who own large tracts of land in the HMDA area and that a bigger Hyderabad city would present a stronger case for a Union Territory.
Telangana protagonists alleged that approximately eight lakh acres is owned by people from Seemandhra in the HMDA area spread over 7,100 sq. km. “This looks like a move by the state government to protect the land and properties of Seemandhra people.
In case the Centre takes over law and order, land and revenue, taxation and civic administration of the GHMC, this expansion will be used to protect the land and properties of Seemandhra contractors and also share revenues,” Telangana Political JAC convener Prof. Kodandaram told this correspondent. He opposed the city’s expansion and said a delegation will meet Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan and demand withdrawal of the merger.
BJP, MIM, TRS oppose 15-village merger deal
Municipal administration principal secretary Adhar Sinha downplayed the issue stating it was proposed long back and the order (GO 407) was issued after court cases were disposed of.
Sources in the municipal administration department said 21 more gram panchayats that are contiguous with the GHMC would also be merged with the state capital in about three weeks, taking its geographical spread to 1,000-sq km. In all, 38 gram panchayats are proposed to be merged with the GHMC.
BJP state president G. Kishan Reddy termed it as an irresponsible move by the government. “Utter chaos is prevailing. What is the need to issue orders for merger of 15 villages with the city at this critical juncture,” he said.
Hyderabad MP and MIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi said the expansion orders will create more controversy in the light of the Congress decision to bifurcate the state. “A delegation of MIM leaders will meet CM N. Kiran Kumar Reddy and municipal administration minister M. Maheedhar Reddy seeking withdrawal of orders to merge villages with the city,” he said. Owaisi said the government should have respected the resolution passed by the GHMC’s elected body.
TRS MLA T. Harish Rao said it is a move to protect real estate interests of Seemandhra people. “There is no public interest involved in it as neither the people nor other political parties have been consulted. The TRS will oppose it tooth and nail,” he added.
States: Andhra Pradesh
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