Affected villagers around Girivalam path request Tiruvannamalai Corporation to drop merger of villages

A large number of residents in 18 villages around Girivalam path near Arunachaleswarar temple have requested the Tiruvannamalai Corporation to drop the merger of villages with the civic body as part of its extended areas.

The residents said that the merger of farming villages with the Corporation had steadily increased local taxes on property, water, and other basic facilities in these villages. They were also deprived of getting work under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) scheme because of the merger.

“Many agricultural workers in the villages also get employed under the scheme to supplement their income. After the merger with the Corporation, such farm work under the scheme is not being allotted to them,” said R. Vasuki, a resident.

Residents said that despite a gradual increase in local taxes on par with core areas within the Corporation, affected villages still lack civic amenities like better roads, piped water supply, solid waste management, underground drainage, and streetlights. Some of the affected villages include Adi Annamalai, Endal, Nochimalai, Devanandal, Navalanpalayam, Chinnakangiyanur, Vegaikaal, Adaiyur, Savalpoondi, and Athiyandal around Girivalam path. 

On Tuesday, residents from these villages met Corporation Commissioner K. Balasubramanian, to reconsider the decision of merger of villages with the civic body. They also sought work for women on the lines of MGNREGA scheme within Corporation limits.

Despite their closeness to the temple town, affected villages depend on agriculture and related activities. Most of the residents are farmers and traders. They are also employed as workers under the MGNREGA scheme to dig ponds and water channels.

 
Corporation officials said that around 20 surrounding villages were merged with the civic body to upgrade itself to a Corporation to seek additional funds from international banks for various civic and infrastructure works. At present, the municipality has a population of around 1.46 lakh persons in 39 wards.