GHMC corporators try to hijack ward bodies

HYDERABAD: Corporators are allegedly trying to eliminate applications of eligible civil society members in the formation of GHMC ward committees, which has been delaying the exercise, and instead trying their best to get their men as ward members.

The selection of members should have been completed by May end. The delay has put on hold the execution of many urgent civic works. For each division, the GHMC has received 30-plus applications from retired gazetted officers, ex-servicemen, environmentalists and family members of corporators for the committee membership. The GHMC is unable to take a decision as there is stiff resistance from corporators over selection for the committee.

Secretary M. Padmanabha Reddy alleged: “The GHMC’s general body met twice to elect ward committee members but could not succeed. Majority of the corporators are not interested in forming ward committees that would act as a check on the official-corporator nexus. In 2009, after the new GHMC was constituted, applications for ward committees were invited. Many NGOs, resident welfare associations and retired employees had applied. The local corporator manipulated the list of application and saw to it that only his henchmen and family members were elected as ward committee members. This is likely to be repeated this time too, if the civil societies don’t raise a voice.”

Officials at the GHMC commissioner’s office were unsure of the deadline for the formation of the committee. However, they said a meeting would be called soon to finalise the applicants.