IUML for it, opinion divided in Congress
Kerala CM Oomen Chandy. (photo: DC/Archives)
KOCHI: With just a year left for the local body elections in the state, the state government has not yet decided whether to undertake a ward delimitation exercise or not and has not given any signals to the state election commission, which conducts the local body elections, in this regard.
According to official sources, if the ward delimitation has to be undertaken, it should be started now; otherwise it cannot be implemented in a time-bound and foolproof manner. Interestingly, the Congress is a divided house on the delimitation plan while the Muslim League strongly demands it. This seems to be the major reason why a decision can’t be reached on the issue.
The major demand of the Muslim League is to create a Malappuram municipal corporation combining Malappuram municipality and adjoining areas. The League is also demanding to turn nearly two dozen panchayats into municipalities.
However, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy is of the view that there is not enough time left for a proper delimitation exercise. KPCC chief V.M. Sudheeran says it can be undertaken in places where it is urgently needed. Kerala Congress doesn’t have any special interest in the subject.
The Bill being circulated for amending the Kerala Panchayati Raj Act and Municipalities Act proposes to make 13 wards into a minimum of 15 wards and maximum 25 wards in panchayats while that of municipalities have not been fixed yet. Since the Assembly session is over, an ordinance has to be promulgated to effect the changes.
However, delimitation entails much financial burden on the state exchequer which is understood to be another reason why the Chief Minister is not favouring it. New office buildings will have to be created while the staff of panchayats can’t be deployed in municipalities.
( Source : dc )
Next Story
