Number of GHMC wards to remain at 150

In April this year, the TS government had issued orders pertaining to the increase in the number of wards to 200 from the existing 150 (GO Ms No. 67).

On Monday, the government issued an stating, “The Commissioner & Special Officer, Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation, Hyderabad has reported that, while delimiting the GHMC Wards as 200, it has been found difficult to maintain natural boundaries and thereby many wards are falling across the natural boundaries, limiting the number to 150 will ensure wards following natural boundaries better and present staffing strength of GHMC is also more amenable to (150) wards and if the number of wards is increased to 200, then there will be lot of pressure on existing manpower at circle and sub-circle levels, the coordination at Head office will also be better for 150 wards instead of 200. The strength of the Elected Members for Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation may be fixed as 150 as per the AP Municipal Corporations (Fixation of strength of Elected Members) Rules, 2005. Government after careful examination of the matter have decided to declare the number of elected ward members to Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation as 150.”

Earlier, the Chief Minister had planned to increase the wards to 200 and directed officials to initiate the process as well, while increasing the ward would divide the number of voters equally as many wards have excess and other have less, to rationalise the number of voters in certain divisions the step was taken.