Subscribe
In Rajasthan's Hanumangarh, the state governement has decided to include large populations of Satipura and 2 KNJ gram panchayats under the jurisdiction of the Hanumangarh Municipal Council.
On January 10, 2025, the state's Local Self Government Department issued a notification to this effect. Chak 45 and 50 NGC (Rural) of Satipura Gram Panchayat and Chak 1 and 2 of 2 KNJ Panchayat have been included in the municipal council.
However, residents of both the panchayats have launched protests against their inclusion in the urban limits. They have repeatedly demonstrated outside the district collectorate and district council office, submitting memorandums. They demand that their villages remain under the panchayat system.
The strongest opposition comes from daily wage labourers who are a part of the nationwide Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
In Satipura, 1,435 families are registered under MGNREGA, while 1,666 families are registered in 2 KNJ Panchayat. Their livelihoods depend on the employment provided under MGNREGA, making it a crucial support system for them.
Jasram, who has worked as a mate under MGNREGA in Satipura for 15 years, told Down To Earth (DTE), "My wife and I work under MGNREGA. I have three brothers, and all our families depend on MGNREGA for work. We get 100 days of work a year and a daily wage of Rs 200. We also work in the fields, but when there’s no farm work, MGNREGA provides us with employment. It is our main support system."
Meanwhile, Sher Singh Shakya, a local leader from the Communist Party (Marxist) in village 2 KNJ, told DTE, “Administrative officials are highlighting the benefits of being included in the urban area, but it will undoubtedly harm us. Villagers currently don’t pay house tax, but the municipal council will now levy it. Even for minor work, formal approvals will be required. Urban taxes will also be imposed on us.”
"Currently, land leases for villagers are issued at nominal fees, but the municipal council will charge thousands of rupees for the same. Selling land will require registration fees at higher urban rates. Electricity bills will also increase. Building a house will require mandatory construction approvals," he added.
Ratanlal Dhaval, a resident of 2 KNJ, says, "Earlier, our village was part of Makkasar Gram Panchayat. Five years ago, it was made a separate panchayat, leading to significant development. The panchayat receives a budget for the village’s development, and villagers benefit from various schemes. We don’t want to lose this."
"Officials talk about linking us to the Chief Minister’s Urban Employment Guarantee Scheme, but no other scheme can match the benefits of MGNREGA. The urban employment scheme is a state government initiative that could be discontinued anytime, but MGNREGA is a central law that cannot be altered. MGNREGA ensures continuous employment for workers, and we don’t want to lose this benefit," Dhaval added.
Most of the land in Chak 45 NGC and Chak 50 NGC is agricultural, and its inclusion in the urban area will adversely affect farming. In the future, the government may develop colonies on their agricultural land, leading to its acquisition, fear the village residents.
Surendra Balihara, another villager from Satipura said, "Inclusion in the urban area will lead to the dissolution of our village service cooperative society, depriving farmers of its benefits." Another villager, Gursevak Singh, says, "I acknowledge there may be some benefits to being included in the urban area, but the losses will outweigh them. Water supply to our homes will be metered, increasing our expenses. Our land will be acquired."
Residents of Satipura passed a resolution during a special gram sabha on Republic Day, demanding that the village remain under the panchayat system. They have submitted memorandums to the district collector, district council officials, and the Chief Minister. Nandkishore Sharma, the village development officer of Satipura, told DTE, "The gram sabha has passed a resolution urging the village to remain under the panchayat. This resolution has been sent to the administration."
OP Bishnoi, Chief Executive Officer of the District Council, stated, "The decision to include these villages in the urban area was made by the state government. Villagers have submitted memorandums requesting to remain under the panchayat system. These have been forwarded to the state government, which will take the final decision."