Move to convert villages into Nagar panchayats opposed

Vizianagaram: Villagers of Nellimerla and Jarajapupeta protested against the State government's decision of merging of the two villages and converting them into Nagar panchayats (city councils). They were furious that the unilateral decision was taken without consulting the villagers. All villagers including women and senior citizens of Jarajapupeta took out a rally that passed through Thomaspeta up to the Nellimerla tahsildar office. They staged a dharna in front of it and submitted a petition to the tahsildar. Later, speaking to media persons, TDP leader Pathivada Narayanaswamy Naidu said that the government changed Nellimerla and Jarajapupeta villages in to Nagar panchayats without consulting the people, only for political gains. Transport Minister Botcha Satyanarayana who first announced that S Kota and Cheepurupalli panchayats would be changed to Nagar panchayats, made recommendations to the government and then changed his mind, he said. But in the case of Nellimerla and Jarajapupeta without any information, he made the proposals, got them sanctioned and issued the orders overnight. Even the officials were appointed to take charge. This only shows that he was more focussed on local body elections and not on the welfare of the people, he alleged. New Democracy leader Kalla Sanyasi Rao condemned the decision that was taken without even considering public opinion. This was only to gain in the local body elections, he charged. At least now the officials should explain why the villages were converted to Nagar panchayats, he demanded. If unreasonably decisions are taken for political gains they would be challenged by the people, he warned. CPM leader Rama Rao said that if villages have to be upgraded to Nagar panchayasts grama sabhas have to be conducted. The villagers should be informed of the decision and the reasons for such a decision. But without all these, coming overnight and seizing the panchayat records is not right, he stated. At least now the officials should change their attitude and allow the villages to continue as panchayats, he said. Leaders Suvvada Ravishekar, Bhaireddy Nageshwar Rao, Avanapu Satyanaryana, Nalli Sekhar and Boni Satyanarayana and others participated.