Pune: With the upcoming legislative assembly elections fast approaching, the Maharashtra state government has expedited the decision to exclude the villages of Phursungi and Uruli Devachi from the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and establish a separate municipal council for the two villages.

However, the newly-formed council currently lacks the workforce required to manage day-to-day operations, and the appointment of personnel may take an extended period of time.

As a result, the Urban Development Department has instructed the PMC to continue providing essential services in the interim.

In 2017, the state government included 11 villages, including Phursungi and Uruli Devachi, within the jurisdiction of the PMC.

Once integrated into the PMC, large unauthorized structures such as warehouses and tin sheds in these areas were subjected to three times the regular property tax, along with heavy penalties for outstanding dues. 

These measures led to tax liabilities amounting to millions of rupees. Additionally, the slow pace of service delivery by the PMC and the intensified tax collection efforts created dissatisfaction among residents.

Amid growing unrest, former Minister of State, Vijay Shivtare, intervened and held discussions with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, urging the exclusion of these villages from the PMC.

The decision to exclude Phursungi and Uruli Devachi was made during the first meeting, but the final notification had yet to be issued.

On September 11, with the assembly election code of conduct set to be implemented within weeks, the government officially ordered the removal of Phursungi and Uruli Devachi from the PMC and established a separate municipal council. 

However, with no staff to manage the newly-formed council, the Urban Development Department issued a separate order on September 23, directing the PMC to continue providing basic services until the council becomes fully operational.

Given that the establishment of the municipal council, including the approval of office structures, allocation of funds, and other related matters, is expected to take time, the PMC will continue delivering essential services such as water supply, waste management, and infrastructure maintenance.

This directive aims to ensure that the residents do not experience disruptions in daily services during the transition.

Committees Formed to Plan the Transition:
To facilitate the transfer of basic amenities and civic services to the Phursungi and Uruli Devachi municipal council, the government has formed a committee.

This committee will be chaired by the Divisional Commissioner, with the District Collector and the PMC Commissioner as members, and the Municipal Council Administrator serving as the Member Secretary. The committee has been tasked with surveying the two villages and preparing a roadmap for the transfer of services and infrastructure