Karnal MC awaits govt nod on draft for delimitation of wards

With the conclusion of the Assembly elections, the focus has now shifted to the Municipal Corporation elections in Karnal, which have been pending for the last 10 months. A draft for the new delimitation of the city (‘wardbandi’) has already been sent to the government, which is yet to approve it.

The tenure of the previous house of the Karnal Municipal Corporation (KMC), consisting of 20 councillors and a Mayor, ended on January 4. Following this, the civic body initiated the process of redrawing the wards based on population, social composition and geographical area. The number of wards will remain 20.

Anticipating the civic body elections, the authorities had sent the draft of the proposed new delimitation of the KMC in April. The state government reviews the draft proposal to see whether the ward delimitation is fair, balanced and legally sound. This step can take time as the government may suggest revisions or modifications to the draft. After the government approval, the final delimitation is published to invite objections and claims of people of the city. Later, the committee constituted by the Deputy Commissioner will invite people to listen to their claims and objections to finalise the delimitation of wards.

“We have filed the draft delimitation to the government, and after the approval from the state government, we will take further steps for the finalisation of ‘wardbandi’,” said Niraj Kadiyan, Commissioner, KMC.

On the other hand, residents are waiting for the announcement of the elections as they want their city councillors and Mayor to take up development works. As per political experts, the BJP is full of energy after the victory in the state Assembly elections. It may expedite the election process to cash in on the wave, said a political analyst.