Residents of villages around Tirunelveli, including Reddiyarpatti, Itteri, Munneerpallam, Nochikulam, Ramayanpatti, Thalaiyuthu, and Keelanatham, have voiced strong opposition to a proposal for their incorporation into the Tirunelveli municipal corporation. During gram sabha meetings held on Gandhi Jayanthi, villagers staged protests, citing concerns over inadequate amenities for city residents and potential disqualification from the National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme. Tensions escalated as residents chanted slogans against authorities, with various demonstrations highlighting their discontent. Meanwhile, Collector K P Karthikeyan distributed sports kits at a meeting in Marukalkurichi village.
Residents from several villages near Tirunelveli have expressed their opposition to the proposal to incorporate their villages into the Tirunelveli municipal corporation. Villages such as Reddiyarpatti, Itteri, Munneerpallam, Nochikulam, Ramayanpatti, Thalaiyuthu, and Keelanatham are included in this plan aimed at expanding urban areas throughout the state. In light of this, villagers voiced their objections during gram sabha meetings held in some of these areas on Gandhi Jayanthi Wednesday, clearly registering their discontent with the proposal.
Villagers from Thalaiyuthu staged a protest at the meeting location, while residents from Itteri marched to the venue carrying black flags and calling for the proposal to be abandoned. Mariappan, a ward councillor from Ramayanpatti village, demonstrated his opposition by rolling on the ground. Tensions escalated in these villages as residents shouted slogans against the authorities.
Villagers argued that since the authorities are already struggling to provide adequate amenities to city residents, there is no justification for incorporating more areas into the municipal corporation. They also expressed concerns that being brought under city limits would disqualify them from the National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme. Meanwhile, Collector K P Karthikeyan attended the gram sabha meeting at Marukalkurichi village in the Nanguneri block and distributed Kalaignar sports kits to the panchayat president.
The opposition from villagers highlights significant concerns regarding municipal expansion, as residents fear losing benefits and face inadequate infrastructure. As discussions continue, the future of these villages remains uncertain, with authorities needing to address the grievances of the local population.
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