GHMC CIRCLES INCREASED FROM 30 TO 48

The state government issued an order on Saturday to increase the number of circles under the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation limits from 30 to 48 and zones from six to 12. According to the civic body, the increase in circles and zones will help smooth the functioning of the administration. The government has earlier announced to increase the number of circles from 30 to 50 and zones from six to 10. However, after conducting a scientific exercise and elaborate discussions, they have zeroed in on 48 circles and 12 zones.

According to GO 149, the corporation will enhance zones in such way that it would have two assembly segments and four circles. The circle reorganisation has been carried out based on population to provide a decentralised set-up and to improve urban governance and service delivery.

The state government has also assured to fill 1,610 additional posts and `146.86 crore would be earmarked annually to meet the expenditure and maintenance of re-organised circle and zonal offices, including staff salaries.

The order said that the reorganisation of circles and zones will enable elected public representatives to work in tandem with the zonal team in order to yield better results. Each zone would have four circles (12 zones and 48 circles).

The corporation recently has increased the number of zones from five to six as part of decentralisation and this has been the third re-organisation since December 1, 2016 where the number of circles were increased from 24 to 30. Prior to that, in December 2015, the corporation increased the numbers from 18 to 24.