Secunderabad: Demand for SCB merger with GHMC gets shriller

♦ An MP raises the issues faced by the civilians due to lack of basic amenities in cantonments and how difficult it is to get permissions from military authorities

♦ Closer home, a lot of development is taking place in the GHMC limits and the areas under Cantonment Board jurisdiction are being ignored

Secunderabad: The problems of the 62 cantonments in India came up for discussion in Parliament when MP Girish Bapat raised the issues faced by the civilians due to lack of basic civic amenities in cantonments and how difficult it was to get permissions from military authorities.

Closer home, the discussion in Parliament triggered animated talks among residents of Secunderabad Cantonment. A lot of development is taking place in the GHMC limits and the areas under Cantonment Board jurisdiction are being ignored. Many online and signature campaigns seeking the merger were conducted by the locals but it seems a long dream. Many residents expressed that it would be better if SCB merges with the GHMC said Ashok, a resident of Marredpally.

"Cantonments lag far behind in terms of both democratic strength and professional versatility. Still, the British time development and rules are being followed," said Dr VV Rao, resident of Rasoolpura.

"SCB is the biggest among all the 62 Cantonments in India, but still, we lack the facilities, whereas in everything in GHMC is far better. GHMC supplies drinking water every alternative day, but whereas in SCB we receive water once in four or five days and also water bills and property tax is higher than GHMC. I have done 40 days door-to-door signature campaign and collected 3,000 signatures and now we are vexed up, it is better if SCB merges with GHMC so that we can take a long breath," said T Satish Gupta, president of Vasavinagar Welfare Association. "GHMC's building plan approval is so simple because they clear the application soon after scrutiny, with just 6 percent registration fees but in SCB to clear the application it takes months and they charge 9.5 percent registration fee," said Suresh, resident of Mudfort.

"As the Cantonment issues and merger with the GHMC was raised in Parliament. Always civilian's problems in SCB have been neglected and we are also paying more taxes than GHMC but the services are zero. Even the board meetings are not held regularly. As GHMC has citizen charter, whereas in SCB, there is no citizen charter. Even basic facilities like, roads, health, and sanitation are in a deplorable state", said Venkata Ramana, a resident of Trimulgherry.

"Day by day the state of affairs in SCB is going from bad to worse. Facilities such as roads, health, and sanitation are in a deplorable state. Still, the 200 years old British rules are being followed", said Jentender Surana, member of Secunderabad Cantonment Citizens Welfare Association (SCCWA).

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