Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Urban Development Francis D’Souza said that government has already passed the Ordinance in this regard and the delimitation process is in the final stage. “If the bill does not get passed, then the Ordinance stands cancelled and the delimitation process too,” Minister said.
D’Souza said that the delimitation process is undertaken to rationalize all the municipalities. He said that government had received representation from municipal councils of Margao, Ponda, Mormugao, Bicholim and Mapusa requesting to rationalize the ward strength. “The councils had passed the resolution and the same was submitted to DMA for consideration,” he said.
D’Souza also said that proper delimitation will help in proper allocation of funds to the municipal bodies.
The minister was replying to a query raised by the Leader of the Opposition Pratapsingh Rane who questioned whether the geographical location and the local stakeholders were taken into confidence while undertaking delimitation process. “Or it is just a political process?” he asked.
As per the Bill, the wards of municipal councils of class ‘A’ and “B’ are been increased. Total 22 additional wards in seven municipalities are being added to the existing 137 wards. The wards of class ‘A’ council has increased to 20 from existing 15 and class ‘B’ 15 from the present 10.
