Zaheerabad gram panchayats oppose transfer of powers to industrial agencies

Gram panchayats in the Zaheerabad NIMZ area have opposed the Telangana government's move to transfer certain panchayat powers to NICZISCL and TGIIC. Haddanur and Yelgoi gram panchayats have passed resolutions rejecting the proposed transfer of powers.

Sangareddy: Elected gram panchayat bodies in the National Investment and Manufacturing Zone (NIMZ) area of Zaheerabad have begun opposing the Telangana government’s move to transfer certain panchayat powers to the National Industrial Corridor Development and Implementation Trust–Zaheerabad Industrial Smart City Limited (NICZISCL) and the Telangana Industrial Infrastructure Corporation Limited (TGIIC).

Following the allotment of 3,245 acres from the 8,000 acres acquired for the NIMZ to the Zaheerabad Industrial Smart City project, the Panchayat Raj Department directed gram panchayats falling within the Smart City limits to pass resolutions in their general body meetings transferring specified powers to NICZISCL and TGIIC.

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The department also circulated a list of survey numbers covered under the NIMZ. However, farmers in the affected villages were shocked to find that several survey numbers mentioned in the list were not part of the original NIMZ acquisition plan.

In response, Haddanur Gram Panchayat in Nyalkal mandal passed a resolution on Thursday rejecting the government’s directive and refusing to transfer its powers to the two industrial agencies. On Friday, Yelgoi Gram Panchayat adopted a similar resolution opposing the proposed transfer of powers.

Meanwhile, Mandal Parishad Development Officers (MPDOs) and panchayat secretaries have been attempting to convince sarpanches and ward members that the industrial corridor project can be developed without transferring panchayat powers to NICZISCL and TGIIC.

The government had originally proposed acquiring 12,635 acres across 17 revenue villages in Nyalkal and Jharasangam mandals for the NIMZ. Of this, around 8,000 acres have been acquired so far, with 3,245 acres earmarked for the Smart City project. Other gram panchayats within the NIMZ area are also expected to follow the lead of Haddanur and Yelgoi in opposing the move.