CPM hails Sukhu govt to topple delimitation process of BJP Govt

Communist Party of India (Marxist) hailed the decision of the state government to repeal the decision of the former BJP government to toppled delimitation process to increase Shimla Municipal Corporation wards from 34 to 41. Party state Secretary Dr Onkar Shad also urged the government to conduct Shimla Municipal Corporation elections immediately after completing all the cordial formalities of the election process.  The party said that the amendment was made by the former BJP rule to deprive the people of Shimla city to exercise . He said earlier electoral process would strengthen democracy and every city dweller will get the right to choose his local government. In the past, due to public anger against the government and misuse of power by the BJP government to maintain its control over the Shimla Municipal Corporation, by amending the *Himachal Pradesh Municipal Corporation Act, 1994* in an arbitrary and undemocratic manner, by delimiting unnecessary wards.  The number of wards were increased from 34 to 41 and by breaking the rules fixed for ward delimitation.  This undemocratic action of the government was opposed by the public.  The party strongly raised this democratic decision with the government and the State Election Commission and demanded that these amendments be repealed.  After this, this process of delimitation of the government was challenged in the High Court and the High Court also passed orders to consider re-delimitation.  But the government did not implement the court order.  The party believes that there is no justification for increasing the number of wards in Shimla as it will not provide any additional facility to the public.  Party said that number of staff expected to be required more with new wards however number of employees are coming down with every passing year .  In the last 5 years, the policies implemented by the former BJP government and Shimla Municipal Corporation, along with privatization of services and properties, increased the rates of water, property tax, garbage collection fees and other services to put additional economic burden on the public.