GVMC: Merger proposal divides Congress in Vizag

By SNV Sudhir

Visakhapatnam, Mar 3, 2013: Proposal to merge Bheemili and Anakapalle municipalities into GVMC had turned ruling Congress a divided house in the district. While few Congress elected representatives have openly announced their opposition along with opposition TD, CPI and CPM forces, some are in support of the proposal.

When the merger proposal was initially mooted in 2009, it was opposed by several corporators, MLAs and MPs. However, since Feb 2012, the GVMC has come under special officer ruling, the authorities are now busy expediting the process. The
state government had asked the GVMC authorities to prepare a
detailed report with images and geographical conditions. Now, the GVMC
staff is busy collecting data and would probably submit the report
to the government shortly.
Eying metro tag and more funds from union government GVMC authorities brought the proposal to merge 140-year-old Anakapalle municipality and its surrounding villages in the extent of 73 square km having a population of more than one lakh while Bhimili, the second oldest municipality in the country and other villages in an extent of 126 square km with population of another one lakh.
While Anakapalle municipality passed a resolution earlier in favour of the merger, Bheemili municipality opposed it and sent the resolution to the government.

“Once both the municipalities are merged, people of Anakapalle and Bhimili that are facing severe fund crunch, would get better amenities and GVMC can get more Centre funds for all-round development of the district,” said ports and infrastructure minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao.

But on the other hand, local MP and union minister of state for commerce and industry, D Purandheswari had already shot a letter to the chief minister opposing the merger citing various reasons. Purandheswari explained, “Even though 32 village
panchayats were merged with the GVMC in 2005, there was no
substantial development in these areas that includes lack of drinking
water and other basic amenities. Better civic amenities could be provided even without merger if the government prepares to do so. Antiquity of the second
oldest municipality, Bheemili, in the country would lose its
historical significance,”

Vizag North MLA Tainala Vijay Kumar too opposed the proposal saying that the taxes collected from the city dwellers will be used to develop outskirts adding that those residing in the city would lose their opportunities.

A meeting of the concerned senior citizens on Sunday about the merger too opposed the proposal.

“This proposal is not only regressive but also undemocratic. Towns like Bheemunipatnam have their own cultural and historic identity. Bheemunipatnam is among the oldest municipalities in the country. Moreover, such decisions which impact the lives of the people directly should be taken by the residents of these towns and villages rather than by a government sitting at Hyderabad. The local municipalities and Gram Sabhas should be involved in taking such decisions,” said People for India Forum, vice chair person, BL Narayana.