Jaipur: State govt’s decision to merge Jaipur Municipal Corporation (JMC) Greater and Heritage, while reducing the ward count from 250 to 100, has significantly impacted operations of both the municipal corporations.According to residents and officials, councillors who anticipate losing party tickets have become disengaged and stopped their regular ward-related duties and interactions with residents. Officials, concerned about potential transfers post-merger, have also shown reduced enthusiasm in their regular responsibilities.“Yes, there has been a significant impact of the state govt’ decision, particularly of the announcement of a possible delimitation. Several councillors, especially those who are juniors or “less important” within the party ranks, are unsure of being selected as candidates for the civic polls. They have stopped interactions with the locals and also stopped regular ward-related duties,” said Yunus Khan, a senior Congress member from Walled City area.Amit Sachdeva, a Malviya Nagar resident, alleged that recently when he took up a sewerage related issue with his local councillor, she directed him to directly contact the civic body officials.“Don’t know what is the exact reason, but her associates informed me that she has lost interest as she won’t get a ticket this time,” Sachdeva said.A group of Congress councillors—all from JMC-Heritage—have already started lobbying for tickets from BJP for the civic polls. Several BJP councillors fear that these turncoats may further cut down their chances.Confirming the development, one of these Congress councillors told TOI, on condition of anonymity, that their fate would largely depend on who the BJP picks for the upcoming bypoll to Ward 63 of JMC-Heritage.“Sunil Meena, a Congress turncoat, wants to field his wife from the saffron camp in the bypoll. If Meena’s wife gets the ticket, then our chances are also bright,” the councillor said.Puneet Karnawat, deputy mayor of JMC-Greater, said apprehensions of both officials and councillors were misplaced. He said the size of JMC would increase post-merger, which means more officials would be needed. “Second, as far as BJP is concerned, tickets would be given based on performance and not reputation. So, councillors must give their best in the final lap,” he said.An official, though, differed. “Several sections of the civic body have officials transferred from other departments or units of the state govt—the enforcement department, for example, has police officials. We are sure the merger will reduce the number of officials of such departments,” he said.
