Villagers protest merger into Baddi Municipal Corporation

Resenting their merger into the Baddi Municipal Corporation, villagers from 19 nearby panchayats organised a protest march from Barotiwala to the SDM office in Baddi, raising slogans against the state government. They demanded the reversal of the decision, threatening to intensify their agitation or approach the court if the government failed to comply.

Former BJP MLA Paramjeet Singh and Balwinder Thakur, ex-vice chairman of the Block Development Committee, highlighted that nearly 90% of the rural population would be adversely affected. They argued the decision would eliminate agricultural subsidies and disrupt village life due to increased traffic from commercial vehicles.

Villagers expressed concerns that the move primarily benefits realtors at their expense. They explained how housing colonies on arable land would attract outsiders while imposing financial burdens on locals through new taxes on land, power, and property. They stressed the need for an investor-friendly policy instead of merging their villages into the municipal corporation.

Additionally, they pointed out that the decision removes the requirement for permissions under Section 118 of the HP Tenancy and Land Reforms Act within the urban civic body, making it easier for realtors to exploit the land without restrictions.

Baddi SDM Vivek Mahajan accepted a memorandum from the protesters, assuring them that their demands would be communicated to the state government. The protest saw participation from across party lines, including BJP and Congress leaders, as well as village panchayat representatives.

Villagers emphasised that the state government should prioritise extending industrial packages to attract investors rather than disrupting their livelihoods. They warned that the merger would worsen their monetary hardships while providing no tangible benefits for the rural population.

The state government’s decision to include 19 panchayats in the upgraded Baddi civic body remains highly contentious, with villagers united in their opposition to the move.