MLAs raise concerns over merger of villages into municipalities

Legislators from both BRS and Congress question the lack of adequate infrastructure, while taxation burden increased on residents

Hyderabad: MLAs from both the BRS and the Congress raised concerns over the merger of gram panchayats abutting the Outer Ring Road into adjacent municipalities during a discussion on the Telangana Municipalities (Amendment) Bill, 2025, introduced by Minister D Sridhar Babu in the Assembly on Monday.

The legislators questioned the lack of adequate infrastructure, while taxation burdens increased on residents.

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The Bill proposes voting rights for Rajya Sabha members in Mayor and Chairman elections, utilisation of private properties for municipal elections, restructuring of urban local bodies, and the creation of Kothagudem municipal corporation by merging Paloncha and other nearby villages in Kothagudem municipality.

Speaking on the occasion, BRS MLA and former Minister Ch Malla Reddy pointed out that 61 villages from Medchal constituency were merged into different municipalities under the proposed Bill, and now there were rumours of their merger into GHMC against the locals’ wishes.

Another BRS legislator KP Vivekananda urged the government to first develop infrastructure in peripheral areas before merging them in urban local bodies. BRS MLA Palla Rajeshwar Reddy called for additional funds and employment safeguards for MGNREGA workers affected by the upgrades.

Congress MLA Malreddy Ranga Reddy also expressed similar views, arguing that village representation would be drastically reduced, affecting people’s accessibility to the administration. He stressed the need for adequate staffing in newly created and upgraded municipalities.

Minister Sridhar Babu assured the House that the government would take decisions on a rational basis, consult all stakeholders, and conduct a comprehensive study before proceeding with mergers. He also promised to review imposing property tax collections and providing additional funds for merged villages under urban development schemes.