UDUPI: The demand to grant Town Municipal Council status to Brahmawar has gathered steam with four gram panchayats (GPs) - Chantharu, Varamballi, Haradi and Handadi - passing a resolution to merge with the town.
Together, these GPs have a population of 31,203 (Chantharu: 10,290; Varamballi: 6,809; Haradi: 7,220; Handadi: 6,884). As per the Karnataka Municipalities Act, 1964, a TMC needs to have a population between 20,000 and 50,000.
However, Brahmawar fails to meet the population density criteria. ''We have sought a relaxation on this front. There should be a population density of 1,500 persons per square kilometer, while in Brahmawar it is 930. However, the tax collection is very good in these Gram Panchayats,'' said V Prasanna, project director, Urban Development Cell, Udupi district.
Most of the working-class population in these GPs depend on non-agricultural activities, he said. Prasanna said that once Brahmawar is made a TMC, it will receive an annual grant of Rs 10 crore. Currently, the annual grant for a GP is Rs 20 lakh.
A TMC has a separate engineer for various projects, while one engineer is provided for four to five GPs. Administration will be easier if Brahmawar is made a TMC, said Prasanna.
Activist Barkur Sathish Poojari said that problems related to basic facilities will be solved once Brahmavar is made a TMC. The move will also make Brahmavar a taluk headquarter, he added.
Udupi district has two TMCs - Kundapur and Karkala.
Four months ago, the Udupi zilla panchayat had passed a resolution for the formation of Brahmawar TMC.
The Brahmawar Taluk Horata Samithi took the matter to the deputy commissioner, chief minister and revenue minister.
The Directorate of Municipal Administration, Bangalore, had responded to the demand by instructing the district administration and respective GPs to prepare a feasibility report.
The GPs have submitted the report and are awaiting the response.