Hyderabad: Early polls to GHMC on cards!

Hyderabad: The state government is contemplating to go in for early elections to the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC). There is a possibility that it may dissolve the present elected body six months prior to the completion of its term and go in for elections in October or November.

Enthused by the recent outcome of the municipal elections, Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao feels that it would be advantageous to prepone the GHMC elections, sources said. GHMC is the largest municipal corporation in the state.

It is learnt that the Chief Minister has taken the feedback on the status of ongoing developmental programmes in Greater Hyderabad and analysed the progress of works. A senior official said that there is a provision in the GHMC Act that the election process can be taken up six months before the term ends.

The term of the existing body would end in February 2021. The very fact that the city ministers have been instructed to speed up the ongoing developmental works is one indication in that direction, said the sources. The construction of about 60,000 double bedroom houses is likely to be completed by June this year. The party leadership wants to make sure the double bedroom houses are ready before the elections are announced.

It may be mentioned here that the Chief Minister had recently directed the officials to increase the Basti Dawakhanas in the city. The Basti Dawakhanas provide free primary health services to the citizens. The Chief Minister wanted two Basti Dawakhanas in each of the 150 divisions of the GHMC. The government recently started the new Metro Rail route from JBS to MGBS. The GHMC authorities have taken up new initiative of strip lighting at major roads for pleasing and aesthetic view for the people apart from having footpaths.

The city ministers have already plunged into action having meetings with ward-level party leaders and also inspecting the amenities being provided to the people. The public representatives of party in power are seen taking up survey of street lighting and also taking up the surprise checks during night to reach out to the people.