Ahead of PMC public meeting, residents wary

The Konkan commissioner, Prabhakar Deshmukh, will conduct a hearing on the formation of the proposed Panvel Municipal Corporation (PMC) at the Konkan Bhavan hall in CBD Belapur on Saturday, a month after the process was initiated.

The proposed PMC includes the Panvel municipal council, 29 villages of CIDCO, 36 areas of NAINA and 11 villages of MMRDA area. It includes a population of 5.95 lakh, who submitted almost 4,000 suggestions and objections to the district collector after the state government issued a government resolution.

The recently released ward demarcation of Panvel municipal council includes 10 new wards. There is speculation that elections for the council will be held in December.

“Kharghar and CIDCO residents who oppose the move hope that the commissioner will explain the need for the establishment of the PMC, its plans, and the government’s policy, during the first round between 11 am and 1 pm,” said a social worker from Khargar.

“Despite the government GR, there has been no official comment on the issue. Government representatives have not offered any explanations,” he added.

“There is no clarity on the additional tax burden and other changes that the residents can expect. Social organisations and media outlets have attempted provide clarity on the issue, but there has been no word from the guardian minister of the area Prakash Mehta, or other official sources,” he said.

After the first session, the commissioner will hear the complaints of the industrialists of Taloja TTC area. They too oppose to the PMC and had approached the chief minister with their complaints. They fear the imposition of additional taxes by the proposed civic body.

The residents of Panvel welcome the proposed PMC, hoping it will bring development to the area.