BMC’S PROPOSED BOUNDARY EXPANSION IS ANTI-PEOPLE: SAURABH TIWARI

BMC’S PROPOSED BOUNDARY EXPANSION IS ANTI-PEOPLE: SAURABH TIWARI

31-JULY-ENG 6

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

BUXAR-------------------------BJP leader and member of the District 20-Point Programme Implementation Committee, Saurabh Tiwari, has expressed strong objection to the map regarding the proposed expansion of the Buxar Municipal Council's boundaries. He termed the proposal anti-people, impractical, and based on a disregard for local realities. He has demanded that the district administration and the Urban Development Department immediately withdraw the proposed boundary expansion and conduct a fresh survey.

Saurabh Tiwari stated that the determination of municipal boundaries should be based on development needs and scientific urban planning, rather than on the objective of incorporating rural areas into the municipality merely to impose an additional tax burden on them. He argued that if a rural area is to be included in the municipal council, basic amenities such as roads, drains, drinking water, waste collection, street lights, sewerage, and drainage systems must be ensured there first.

He alleged that the boundary demarcation in the proposed map is inconsistent in several places. In some instances, half of a village is included in the municipal council while the other half is left out, whereas Natural boundaries, roads, canals, and administrative limits have been overlooked in several places. This raises concerns about future complications regarding land disputes, building construction approvals, revenue records, and administrative operations.

The BJP leader also questioned whether extensive public consultations were held with the concerned panchayats, *Gram Sabhas* (village assemblies), public representatives, and local citizens prior to the boundary expansion. He stated that if this decision was made without seeking public opinion, it runs counter to the democratic spirit.

Saurabh Tiwari demanded the immediate withdrawal of the map showing the proposed expanded boundaries and called for a fresh survey to be conducted by a joint committee comprising geography and urban planning experts, local public representatives, and administrative officials. He further urged that public hearings be held in every affected panchayat to formulate a new proposal based on public consent and scientific criteria.

He said, "The people of Buxar desire development, but not the kind where amenities are non-existent and taxes skyrocket. The public should have a right to development, not a burden of taxes."