PUNE: Nearly two weeks after the state’s announcement of the demerger of Uruli Devachi and Phursungi areas from city limits, the civic administration finds itself grappling with the issue of how to give effect to the sharing of manpower and other key formalities.
As of now, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is continuing to govern the two demerged areas, but the authorities have now approached the state urban development department (UDD) seeking clarity on the matter.
“We will follow the state’s directives on the completion of the process of transfer of power and related matters. We have sought a detailed plan regarding this from the state,” said PMC’s additional commissioner Prithviraj BP.
Uruli and Phursungi were among the 11 fringe areas that were merged into the PMC limits in 2017.
There was a consistent demand from the residents of these two areas for a demerger from the civic limits and the setting up of a municipal council.
State govt had earlier invited suggestions and objections over the proposal for a demerger, following which the decision to exclude these areas from PMC limits has been announced on Sept 11. In its notification, state govt also announced that a separate joint Phursungi Uruli Devachi Municipal Council would be constituted.
While declaring the demerger, govt excluded the area of the waste depot in these villages, which will remain with PMC.
Civic officials pointed out that PMC will need to ensure that demerger formalities are completed in a timely manner. These include handing over offices and other properties to the new municipal council. The recruitment of manpower for running the administration of these areas will also have to be carried out. The decision about schools and teachers appointed with municipal schools in these areas will be taken in due course of time, for which preparations must begin.
A section of residents from the two areas had for long been demanding that they be demerged from PMC as they were not getting facilities commensurate to the higher taxes they had to shell out.
A group of residents have also opposed the demerger now, claiming that it will cause more harm than good. They recently staged an agitation near Saswad Road to put forth their demands.
