Delimitation of GHMC divisions gets underway

Hyderabad: The proposed delimitation of divisions in Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) seems to have enlivened some former corporators. They say that the delimitation process will be beneficial for them. They are contemplating to field their wives or sons to contest from the new constituencies.

• Former Coporators trying to secure their respective parties’ tickets either to their spouses or sons

In fact many former corporators in the city have gone a step ahead and have already launched informal canvassing in their respective divisions. In Kukatpally and LB Nagar circles, some of them, who already have authentic information about the division, are campaigning to introduce their sons to voters.

Interestingly, despite the recent cash-for-vote scam, the TDP candidates who are in the race and are expecting a ticket from the party are also confident of winning the seats in the upcoming elections. "We cannot compare the GHMC election with either general or MLC elections,” they said.

The steep hike in the property tax, power tariff and the failure to provide basic civic amenities like proper roads, drainage and drinking water are going to be some of the issues that would take centre-stage during the campaign, former corporators say.

The process of delimitation of divisions and increase of their number up to 200 gets underway in all the 18 Circles of the GHMC. The officials say that the entire process will be completed by the mid-week of July. Meanwhile, the delimitation of divisions would be done as per the 2011 Census, population in Greater Hyderabad is about 67,31,790.

The civic body, on the basis of circle-wise population, has earmarked 29 divisions for the East Zone, 51 for South Zone, 56 for Central Zone, 28 for West Zone and 36 for North Zone. There are 150 Municipal divisions in the existing GHMC limits and they are likely to be enhanced up to 200 divisions.