Govt appraises MP Guv on HC order on merger of villages

Court had cancelled process of merger of many villages in the city limits of Bhopal, Indore, Chhindwara and Jabalpur

After facing a setback from the court that cancelled the government's move to merge various villages in four Municipal Corporations, the Madhya Pradesh government has pinned all hopes on Governor Ram Naresh Yadav.

The High Court had cancelled the process of merger of many villages in the city limits of Municipal Corporations of Bhopal, Indore, Chhindwara and Jabalpur.

"Urban development minister Kailash Vijayavargiya called on the state governor today and apprised him of the ground of merger and extension of limit of the various municipal corporations. The government had interest in developing the nearby villages," a government source said.

Now, much depends upon the state governor, the source said, as he has all powers to order for elections in these corporations.

Indore bench of High Court had on Tuesday cancelled the government notification on merger of 29 villages in Indore Municipal Corporation Limit. Earlier, in October the Jabalpur High Court had cancelled merger notification of 20 villages in Bhopal Municipal Corporation.

Civic body polls have been announced in Madhya Pradesh earlier this month. The polls are scheduled to beheld on 28 November and 2 December. The counting of votes is scheduled on December 4 and 6. There are now 10 Municipal corporations where polls will take place.