Demand for inclusion of 5 panchayats in BeMC intensifies

Berhampur: Residents of five panchayats in the outskirts of the city have threatened to take legal help if their localities are not included under the Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BeMC).

“Despite assurances from the State government, the panchayats - Lochapada, Shaktinagar, Brajanagar, Kaluanagar and Ambapua  are yet to be brought under the BeMC depriving us of basic facilities, “ rued Pradeep, a local.

Earlier, residents of these panchayats had launched a signature campaign to press for their demands. They have now threatened to intensify the stir in coming days if the district administration continues to stay indifferent to their demands.

Notably, the BeMC was formed in 2008 with 40 wards.

"Resolutions have been passed in BeMC meetings for five times to include these areas under the corporation. However, neither the district administration nor the state government is taking any step in this regard," said BeMC Corporator Ashok Shukla.

BeMC Commissioner Chakravarti Singh Rathore said, "People should pass a resolution for inclusion of their respective panchayats in the Corporation. While some want to be included in the Corporation, others don’t.”