24 October,2023 08:51 PM IST | Aurangabad | mid-day online correspondent
Bombay High Court/ File Photo
The Bombay High Court has initiated a legal challenge against the Maharashtra government's decision to convert the Jalna municipal council into a municipal corporation, PTI reported. A division bench, comprising Justices R V Ghuge and Y G Khobragade, based in Aurangabad, issued a notice last week, directing the principal secretary of the state Urban Development Department and the Jalna district collector to provide responses by December 11. The court order became available this week, stated the report.
According to the report, the writ petition challenging this conversion was filed by activists Sainath Chinnadore, Devchand Savare, Khan Liyaqat Ali, Sharad Deshmukh, and Tarachand Zadiwale. Advocates Ganesh Gadhe and Anuj Fulfagar represented the petitioners. They argued that this conversion would impact municipal taxes, local governance, and the welfare of citizens.
The petition further contended that the decision to elevate the civic body might have been driven by political and bureaucratic interests rather than a genuine necessity for enhanced local governance.
Additionally, it was highlighted that the decision did not align with the constitutional requirement stipulating that areas with a population of less than three lakh should be classified as smaller urban areas and administered by municipal councils. It's worth noting that the civic body was granted corporation status earlier this year.
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Jalna, situated in central Maharashtra, had a population of approximately 2.25 lakh according to the 2011 census, further emphasizing the critical nature of this legal challenge.
Maratha quota violence
Jalna had been in news after a recent outbreak of violence related to the Maratha quota issue which led to the booking of over 360 individuals. The state has been grappling with the long-standing Maratha reservation agitation, and tensions flared up once again. In response to this surge in unrest, law enforcement authorities have taken stringent action against those responsible for the violence.
The incidents in question appear to have been sparked by the demands for Maratha reservation, and it has drawn considerable attention both within the state and across the nation. The situation further escalated when police resorted to a lathi-charge to disperse the protestors.
Manoj Jarage Patil, who has been actively leading the Maratha agitation, has managed to garner support from the Dhangar community. He continues to advocate for the Maratha community's rightful demands.
With PTI inputs
