With the State Government showing its inability to conduct the municipal elections as per the 2011 census, strengths of the local bodies like the municipal corporation of Haldwani (MCH) won't be increased despite increase in population.
There are presently 25 wards as per the 2001 census in the MCH. But even after upgradation of the erstwhile Haldwani municipal council during the previous BJP regime, number of wards cannot be increased as the civic polls are being conducted as per the 2001 census, officials said.
Since the civic polls are now being conducted as per the 2001 census, the number of wards would remain same this time too, said BS Chalal, Additional Chief Municipal Officer, while talking to The Pioneer.
Otherwise, had the said civic polls been conducted according to the 2011 census, then perhaps the number of wards could go upto 35 in the MCH area, he further said.
Officials said, as per the rules, there should be 20 wards per every one lakh population, while 1.5 lakh population should be represented by 25 wards, followed by 2 lakh population by 30 wards.
Similarly, there should be 35 wards to represent 2.5 lakh population and 40 wards for about 3 lakh population, they added.
Thus, though the 2011 census is yet to come out, population of city like Haldwani municipal area could be anything over 2.5 lakh, as the experts here believe. However, as the tenure of the present civic bodies are going to be over by May 5, 2013, it is constitutionally too binding on the Government to hold the polls in due course of time in fact before May 5, 2013.
The High Court of Uttarakhand (HCU) has already directed the State Government in its order to hold the civic polls in due course of time. As per direction of the HCU, notification has to be issued till April 7, while nomination will be done on April 8 followed by voting on April 28 and counting on votes on April 30.
"We are ready to conduct the civic polls. These polls will be held as per the 2001 census, but all the eligible voters as per the recently updated voter list will be able to exercise their franchise," Chalal said.