Parigi, Kodangal dream big on growth

Parigi: People have pinned hopes of greater development in Parigi and Kodangal in Vikarabad district which have been upgraded from major panchayats to municipalities. The government has decided to devolve an initial grant ranging between Rs 50 lakh to Rs 1 crore to each municipality. The people are amusing themselves at the prospect of development taking place in the upgraded civic bodies.

Municipal chairmen and ward members are going to be elected in the next elections and the number of wards is also going to increased. According to 2011 census, Parigi has 32,000 population and Kodangal 15,000. While Parigi is 80 km away from Hyderabad, Kodangal is 110 km away. The two major panchayats were not allowed to be upgraded so far into municipalities fearing political repercussions. The two new municipalities were put under the administration of Tahsildars. RDOs act as special officers.

They will be replaced by new commissioners and ward members in three or four months. As there is shortage of municipal commissioners, Municipal engineers, deputy engineers, managers and sanitary inspectors are going to be appointed as municipal commissioners because of their administrative experience.

Tahsildars will have authority to grant funds up to Rs 50,000 and up to Rs 1 lakh in major towns. On the basis of the population and jurisdiction, the new municipalities are likely to be graded as grade-III municipalities.

BY Mohammad Wajeed