CPM opposes merger of SADA areas with Shimla Municipal Corporation

Shimla, Aug 6 (UNI) The Himachal Pradesh unit of the CPM today opposed the state government's decision to merge Special Area Development Authorities (SADA) of Dhalli, New Shimla and Totu with the Shimla Municipal Corporation (SMC), saying the move was nothing more than ''political gimmickry''.

''The Corporation that had failed in providing civic amenities to the town for want of adequate fund is expected to cater to the needs of the SADA areas,'' party's state committee member Sanjay Chauhan told UNI here, while questioning the government's decision on merger.

The State Cabinet, which met under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh yesterday, had decided to merger the SADA areas with the Shimla Municipal Corporation for providing better civic facilities to the people of the area.

Mr Chauhan said very little was expected from the civic body that had failed in providing regular drinking water supply to the citizens of the town even during the monsoon season and added that civic amenities in the town had deteriorated in the past 20 years.

Observing that the population of the town would increase by two and a half times after the merger of the SADA areas with the Corporation, he said the corporation simply did not have the means to provide amenities to the whole population.

Mr Chauhan said the civic conditions in the SADA areas have deteriorated in the last ten years in comparison to other rural areas even though these areas are so close to the state capital.

The state government was eying a sum of Rs nine crore, collected through retention policies and other policies, with the SADA and Town and Country Planning Department, he said, while alleging that this would be spent on other areas instead from where it had been collected.

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