Villagers oppose merger into municipality in Ganjam, warn of agitation

Villagers in Ganjam district have opposed the proposed merger of their village into a municipality, raising objections over the decision-making process and alleging that the move was carried out without public consultation.

The opposition comes in the wake of Kabisuryanagar NAC being upgraded to municipal status, following which certain surrounding villages were proposed to be merged within the new municipal limits. Residents of Bada Agula village under Gangapur Panchayat have strongly objected to the inclusion of their village in the municipality.

The villagers submitted a memorandum to the Block Development Officer (BDO), demanding the withdrawal of the proposal. They alleged that the decision was taken without conducting a gram sabha and without informing local residents.

According to the villagers, the proposed merger has led to further resentment as four of the village’s six wards have been included within the municipal limits, while the remaining two wards continue under the panchayat, creating administrative and social confusion.

“Nearly 98 per cent of villagers were unaware of the merger. Later, we came to know that four out of six wards were being included in the municipality. We do not want our village to be merged. If our demands are not met, we will gherao offices and launch an agitation,” said Bhaskar Swain, a resident of Bada Agula village.

Another villager, Rinku Gouda, said the authorities should adopt a uniform approach, stating that either all six wards should be merged into the municipality or none at all.

Villagers warned that they would intensify their protest if their concerns were not addressed, while officials were yet to issue a response on the matter.