A group of Uruli Devachi and Phursungi residents are preparing to challenge the recent decision to demerge the areas from Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC). They are worried about high property taxes and the lack of basic services. They believe creating a new municipal council won't fix these problems. They plan to take their case to the Bombay High Court. The locals plan to challenge the demerger notification in the HC. Protests have already taken place, and further legal steps are expected too.
Residents of Uruli Devachi and Phursungi are opposing the decision to separate their areas from the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC). The state government issued a notification over a week ago to form a new municipal council. However, many locals feel this won't solve their issues and plan to challenge the decision in the Bombay High Court.
According to a report by TNN, residents expressed concern about the high property taxes they have been paying to PMC, highlighting that many areas still lack basic facilities. Local resident Sanjay Harpale indicated that they are not opposed to being part of the PMC but want their issues addressed. He explained that their problem is not with being included in PMC, but with the high taxes and lack of amenities, and suggested that a new municipal council would not resolve these issues.
Another resident, Ulhas Shelke, mentioned that the issue had previously been raised in court, where the government was instructed to follow "due procedure" before making a decision. Shelke noted that they had expected their opinions to be taken into account, but the authorities did not do so. He explained that they now plan to go to the high court to challenge the notification.
Uruli Devachi and Phursungi joined the PMC in 2017 with 11 other villages. Since then, residents have asked for a demerger due to high property taxes and a lack of development funds. In March 2023, the state government issued a notice about the demerger and asked for public feedback. By September 2023, the government confirmed the demerger, creating the Phursungi Uruli Devachi Municipal Council. However, the waste depot in Uruli Devachi remains with the PMC, complicating things for locals. Now, residents are hoping that the court will review the decision and address their concerns.
In conclusion, residents of Uruli Devachi and Phursungi are deeply dissatisfied with the state government's decision to form a new municipal council, feeling it fails to address their primary concerns of high property taxes and lack of basic amenities. Despite previous legal instructions to consider public opinion, authorities have not adequately addressed these issues, prompting residents to seek redress in the Bombay High Court. The situation underscores the ongoing struggle for effective governance and equitable resource allocation in these areas.
Advertisement
Facebook
Whatsapp
