Villagers demand return of Panchayati Raj

Several new areas near the city were incorporated into Surat following the extension of city limits.

Many residents of Bhimpore,Dumas and Sultanabad areas said the new areas still lack facilities of water,roads and drainage since the last three years,though they had to pay taxes to the SMC for the same.

The residents had given a memorandum to District Collector Dilip Rawal a couple of days ago demanding a return to Panchayati Raj.

On Sunday afternoon,several women sat on a dharna at Dumas.

Patil and Patel visited the places and tried to pacify the agitating women. The leaders also explained that at present their demands cannot be fulfilled due to the Model Code of Conduct being in force. But they will definitely work for it after the elections,they said.

The agitating villagers then handed over a memorandum to the two leaders.

When the BJP leaders requested the people to vote for the party,a woman identified as Ashita,a resident of Dumas,came up to the stage with pen and paper and demanded an assurance in writing that Panchayati Raj system will be brought back.

Bipin Ariwala,a representative said: “We have demanded two things from both leaders; one that we want our old Panchayati Raj as we cannot pay taxes to the SMC since we don’t get all the facilities; and secondly,the reservation on several houses and lands for the expansion of the Surat airport be removed.”

On his part,Patil said: “I have given them an assurance that I will support them as their demands are genuine. I have also assured them that I will definitely put their demands with the government and try to solve their problems. I will also request the government that these three villages be developed as tourist spots,as a large number of people from Surat visit Dumas beach regularly on Sundays.”