Municipal polls likely in U’khand soon
By Arun Pratap Singh
Dehradun, 21 Oct: The BJP today expressed the hope of holding civic elections soon after the consent of the Select Committee on the previous reservation format. Addressing a press conference at the BJP State Headquarters today, Dharampur MLA Vinod Chamoli asserted that Congress should not indulge in politics of reservations and on the issue of slum colonies. Chamoli claimed that the BJP government has worked sincerely to save slums in the past and will be bringing an ordinance soon in this respect.
Chamoli claimed that the Pushkar Singh Dhami Government is moving decisively towards a permanent solution on the issues of slum colonies by determining the actual width of rivers through a hydrography survey. It may be recalled that Chamoli is a member of the Assembly Select Committee to make recommendations regarding reservation of wards for OBC category. He claimed that BJP is in favour of holding civic elections soon and bringing an ordinance to protect slums. Citing the decisions of the committee, he recalled that, after the directions of the Supreme Court, a single-member commission was constituted for OBC reservation. When its report was placed in the House, it was noted that OBC is a state subject, and hence reservation should be decided keeping in view the local conditions prevailing in the state. Consequently, a Select Committee was formed, which, after detailed discussions in three meetings that were held in this regard so far, it was decided that for the time being, civic elections may be held based on the 2018 election system as per the 2011 census. The BJP is also fully prepared to hold civic elections based on the previous system in the current circumstances.
Chamoli expressed hope that in next two to three days, the rules and roster will be prepared at the government level regarding reservation for women, SC, ST, and OBC for the civic polls. Thereafter, after completing the objections and other procedures, civic elections can be held in December.
The Dharampur MLA shared that the Select Committee felt the need for a detailed study on the subject of OBC reservation. Under a comprehensive study, the impact of this reservation will be examined, including its effects on the social fabric, educational environment, heritage, social impact, and political impact. The tenure of the committee has been extended by one month only so far but it can be extended further.
Regarding the regularisation of slums, Chamoli said that the party’s stand on this issue is clear that a permanent solution of this issue is necessary. In the current circumstances, it is essential to protect the affected people first. Previously, the BJP government had saved the slums by bringing an ordinance, and he expressed hope that another ordinance will be brought soon in this regard. The BJP MLA claimed that from the beginning, the BJP has been in favour of determining the actual width of the rivers because, until this happens, all processes like land conversion cannot be done for the regularisation of the slums. It is a matter of great satisfaction that, for the first time, the government has moved decisively towards fixing the width of the rivers by conducting a hydrological survey. Once this determination becomes final, the definition of the river bank or submerged land will also be decided, allowing for the regularisation of settlements by completing the land conversion process.
Chamoli emphasised that it is not appropriate to politicise this serious and sensitive issue. The BJP has worked to save the people of the slums from political and economic exploitation, ensured development work in the slums, brought them under the purview of tax, and worked on regularisation of slum colonies. The government is currently working on a permanent solution to this issue and will continue to do so.
Chamoli also reminded the media of the “rapid economic growth” of Uttarakhand in past few years and the sharp increase in the Per Capita Income of the state.
