Exclude Dondhi, Gutkar from from Mandi MC: Residents

A strong demand to exclude Dondhi and Gutkar from the Municipal Corporation, Mandi, was raised during a meeting chaired by BR Kaundal in Gutkar. The gathering, attended by the local councillor, municipal corporation employees and around 50 residents focused on objections to the corporation’s proposed tax plan and the lack of development in the region.

Residents criticised the new tax proposal as excessively burdensome, especially for poorer sections, and expressed frustration over four years of neglect. “There has been no development in our region, and now the corporation is imposing higher taxes on us,” lamented a resident. Another pointed out broken promises by the previous government, which assured the exclusion of these areas from the Municipal Corporation once population criteria were met.

The attendees argued that their inclusion in the corporation was unjust, claiming it was done solely to meet population requirements. In response, a unanimous resolution was passed to form a delegation, led by Kaundal, to meet with the corporation commissioner within two to three days and formally protest.

“If the corporation does not address our concerns, we will file a writ petition in the High Court to exclude our area from the corporation,” warned a group representative.

To further their cause, residents plan to launch a signature campaign across Dondhi and Gutkar in the coming days to garner support and raise awareness. As tensions escalate, the future of these areas in the Municipal Corporation remains uncertain, with residents determined to pursue all legal avenues for redress.