Affected villagers around Girivalam path request Tiruvannamalai Corporation to drop merger of villages
Residents of 18 villages near the Girivalam path are protesting their recent merger into the Tiruvannamalai Corporation. They cite increased taxes and the loss of access to MGNREGA rural employment schemes as primary grievances.
Why it matters
The conflict highlights the tension between urban expansion/administrative upgrading and the socio-economic needs of rural populations transitioning into municipal jurisdictions.
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.
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