BJP terms merger of ULBs with GHMC ‘unscientific, politically driven’

The BJP has opposed the Congress government’s plan to merge 27 ULBs with GHMC, saying it will strain infrastructure, raise taxes and slow development. State president N Ramchander Rao alleged the move is politically motivated to benefit AIMIM and demanded its withdrawal

Hyderabad: The State BJP has opposed the Congress government’s decision to merge 27 ULBs beyond Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) and within Outer Ring Road (ORR) with the corporation, calling the exercise unscientific and politically motivated.

For effective administration, decentralisation was essential but the Congress government was adopting centralized administration model. This would impact the public services adversely, BJP State president N Ramchander Rao said.

---

Once the 27 ULBs get merged with GHMC, population of around two crores would come under the corporation’s purview. Already, the existing infrastructure was crippled and there were no sufficient provisions to meet the requirement of such huge population. As a result, taxes would be increased, he stressed.

The BJP State president pointed out that the GHMC was facing financial constraints in executing different development projects. “The merger of 20 municipalities and seven municipal corporations with GHMC will further slow down the development for want of funds,” Ramchander Rao said.

The merger of ULBs was politically motivated and the Congress was trying to strengthen the AIMIM fortress. In the past, the Mayor was elected from AIMIM party and in other places, the Congress got their support. The same conspiracy was being repeated, he charged.

He also slammed the Congress government for introducing the Hyderabad Industrial Lands Transformation Policy (HILTP). It was an attempt to offer over 9,000 acres precious lands to real estate mafia, he said. “After HYDRAA, Musi project, HILTP and the Congress government’s move to merge 27 ULBs with GHMC are against the interests of citizens. The State government should withdraw the merger decision,” Ramchander Rao demanded.