In a significant development, the government has given its approval for the establishment of a committee comprising 18 people’s representatives, with the divisional commissioner at the helm, to oversee basic facilities in 34 villages recently included in the Pune Municipal Corporation. This committee will play a pivotal role in steering the development initiatives within the newly incorporated villages.
The order, issued by the Deputy Secretary of the Urban Development Department, comes a year after the inclusion of these villages within the Pune Municipal Corporation by the state government. With the municipal elections expected to be held after the expiry of the Municipal Corporation members’ term in March 2022, delays ensued due to disputes over the ward structure and other issues.
Shiv Sena city chief Nana Bhangire addressed the lack of people’s representatives to guide the development works in these villages by requesting the Chief Minister to establish a committee under the divisional commissioner’s chairmanship. Responding to this demand, the Chief Minister directed the Divisional Commissioner to proceed with the formation of the committee.
Initially proposed with 11 people’s representatives for the 34 villages, the committee’s composition was revised to include 12 members following a request from Shiv Sena city chief Nana Bhangire. After several months of deliberation and discussions, the Divisional Commissioner submitted a proposal for a committee comprising 18 members in August 2023.
Finally, after eight months, the government has given its nod to the establishment of the committee, marking a crucial step towards effective governance and development in the newly included villages.
