Governor ESL Narasimhan raises objections

Hyderabad: Governor ESL Narasimhan objected to the new Municipal Bill, which was passed by the KCR government in a special session of the Assembly held on June 18-19.

He expressed his objections and suggested changes to be made concerning a few provisions in the Municipal Act as they were against the spirit of the 73rd and 74th Constitutional amendments.

In the new Bill, there is a clause, which gives authority to the District Collectors in removing elected representatives relegating the authority of the Municipal Commissioners in the administration of the Urban Local Bodies (ULBs).

He also raised objections on the clause that the state government is given the authority to decide the date of the municipal elections, bypassing the State Election Commission authority. Strong objections were also raised by the political parties and also civil organisations against the new Bill.

The said amendments to the Constitution have transferred all powers to the elected local bodies in the functioning of the Gram Panchayats, Zilla Parishads and ULBs. The Governor has made some suggestions to the government on the Bill and asked the state authorities to ensure the spirit of the Constitution is not defeated in the new Act.

Consequently, the government issued a gazette with the permission of the Governor and assured the deletion of the objectionable provisions in the Act through amendment in the next Assembly session.

Sources said that the Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao instructed state Municipal Administration and urban Development department to make all necessary alteration in the act in consultation with the Governor.