Both NCP groups, Cong protest PMC inaction over devpt works in merged areas

Pune: Congress and both NCP groups’ corporators on Tuesday agitated at PMC’s general body meeting over unresolved issues in the merged areas even though the new GB was formed six months ago. They brought up property tax collection from citizens from the fringe parts and displayed boards demanding urgent resolutions and clarity on the issue.Kaka Chavan, leader of NCP (SP) group in PMC said the civic body was to form a committee to work on the property tax problems in merged areas, but no steps have been taken. “We do not know why the issue is pending for so long. The administration is not serious towards the problems from the merged areas,” he added.The corporators highlighted pending issues like strengthening the drainage network, development of road links and provision of civic amenities in the 23 merged pockets.Leader of opposition Nilesh Nikam said that many issues in the merged areas are awaited and elected representatives have been raising them in GBs for six months. Corporators have questioned the quality of infra works and the need to take collective measures for citizens in the city’s peripheral areas to live in hygienic conditions.Mayor Manjusha Nagpure said that a special GB will be called soon to discuss the development and infra projects, tax problems and provision of funds for merged areas. She told the civic administration to ensure the presence of all stakeholders at the special GB where corporators will bring up issues pertaining to infra works and civic services in merged areas.