State Government Yet to Issue Final Notification on Excluding Uruli Devachi and Phursungi from PMC Limits: Court Informed
Pune, August 21, 2023 – The ongoing issue surrounding the exclusion of Uruli Devachi and Phursungi villages from the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) limits has taken a new turn. The state government has recently conveyed to the high court that the final notification for this exclusion has not been officially released, and any further steps in the process will strictly adhere to established regulations. This revelation emerged as a response to a petition filed with the high court, alleging that the urban development department and the municipal corporation overlooked the opinion of the villagers before issuing a proclamation and draft notification to exclude the villages from the municipal jurisdiction.
The demerger of Phursungi and Uruli Devachi from the Pune Municipal Corporation and the subsequent establishment of a separate municipal council had been previously announced by the state government. This decision was prompted by the collective efforts of the former MLA of the region, Vijay Shivtare, who advocated for the formation of an independent municipal council for these villages. After a meeting with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and numerous villagers, the state government acted upon this demand.
However, the process has encountered a legal challenge through a petition filed before the high court. The petitioners have cited a previous judgment by the high court that pertains to a comparable matter involving the Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation. In this instance, the petitioners contend that the state government’s actions contradict the directives of the high court.
In response to the petition, the high court has sought clarification from the state government about its stance regarding the demerger notification. The court is keen on understanding whether the government intends to retract the notification in light of the concerns raised by the petitioners and in accordance with the legal guidelines outlined by the high court itself.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the fate of Uruli Devachi and Phursungi villages remains uncertain with regards to their administrative jurisdiction. The court’s scrutiny underscores the significance of considering local sentiments and opinions while making decisions that impact the lives and governance of communities.
