Demand in Uruli-Phursungi to merge back with PMC

Time of India

5 days ago

Pune: Former corporators and some other residents of Uruli-Phursungi have demanded that the state merge the areas back with the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) ahead of the civic poll.
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The areas were merged with PMC in 2017 and removed in 2024, with a separate municipal council being formed. The aforementioned group of local residents wants the council scrapped and a return to the PMC administrative arrangement. They have submitted a memorandum to deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar.
Phursungi resident Sanjay Harpale said, "The council is not able to work effectively. The whole thing is a mere formality amid lack of manpower and funds, the latter being stuck with the state govt."
The group said both villages had around 150 govt staffers to look after issues affecting the areas and it has reduced to 60 after the demerger. The annual revenue generation of the council is expected to be around Rs40 crore — insufficient for development works.
"The demerger has caused more problems than improve the situation. Structured growth of infrastructure and civic facilities can gather pace only if the areas are attached to PMC, and thus our demand for a remerger," said Ranjit Raskar, a former gram panchayat member.
A section of residents said they were getting facilities including scholarships for students and other health benefits, like dialysis, at discounted rates in civic hospitals while in PMC's jurisdiction. A large number of local residents from financially weaker sections used to gain from many such facilities which stood discontinued after the demerger.
Civic officials said the initial proposal for merging 34 villages was approved in 2013-14.
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PMC included 11 villages in its jurisdiction in 2017 following court instructions. Nine villages were partially merged, while Uruli Devachi and Phursungi were fully integrated.
PMC expanded to become the largest municipal corporation in the state after including 23 villages in July 2021. In Sept 2024, Uruli Devachi-Phursungi went through a demerger process after many residents raised the demand.
Another section of residents said that for years, they have not had basic facilities like drinking water and are troubled by the poor road infrastructure.
They have demanded the administration focus on such issues on priority.
PMC had two elected members from both the areas. After the municipal council was formed, people's representation was hampered and, more so now, since the areas will not be considered for the delimitation process for civic poll likely to be held in Nov or Dec. Thus, the growing demand from former corporators and some residents.