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Hyderabad, Sept 17 (Najaf Ali Shoukat-PMI) Public policy expert Donthi Narasimha Reddy has urged Telangana Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla to return the Core Urban Region (Integrated Governance) Bill, 2026, to the State Assembly, citing concerns over its proposed governing councils, ward committees, jurisdictional provisions, property taxation and local self-governance.
In a representation to the Governor, Reddy said the composition of the proposed Apex CURE Governing Council was a matter of concern as it did not include elected representatives from the municipal corporations.
He also questioned the proposed CURE Executive Committee, headed by the Principal Secretary, which would be responsible for implementing decisions of the Apex Governing Council. According to Reddy, this arrangement could undermine the constitutional spirit of elected local governance.
Reddy further contended that the Bill would weaken the role of ward committees by removing their supervisory and monitoring functions in the implementation of government schemes.
He also objected to Section 230(2), which empowers the State government, through a general or special order, to authorise a body or authority to exercise its powers beyond the Core Urban Region. He argued that this provision could allow authorities created for the city to exercise jurisdiction in other parts of Telangana.
Reddy urged that Chapter 26 of the Bill be removed and requested the Governor to seek an opinion from the Law Department or the Advocate General before granting assent.
The Bill also drew discussion in the Assembly over its property-tax provisions. Following deliberations, the Assembly approved a provision for a 10 per cent annual increase in property tax.
Reddy also pointed out that the Bill did not contain a Statement of Objects and Reasons or a preamble. He said it did not clearly identify the specific administrative or governance problems that the proposed legislation seeks to address. (pressmediaofindia.com)
