The Bombay High Court has sought response from the Maharashtra government on a petition challenging the conversion of the Jalna municipal council into a municipal corporation.
A division bench comprising Justices R V Ghuge and Y G Khobragade has issued a notice to the principal secretary of the state Urban Development Department and the Jalna district collector, seeking their replies by December 11. The writ petition has been filed by activists Sainath Chinnadore, Devchand Savare, Khan Liyaqat Ali, Sharad Deshmukh, and Tarachand Zadiwale. These petitioners, represented by advocates Ganesh Gadhe and Anuj Fulfagar, have contended that this conversion will potentially affect municipal taxes, local governance, and the welfare of citizens.
The petition also raises concerns that the decision to upgrade the civic body may have been influenced more by political and bureaucratic interests than by a genuine need for improved local governance. Furthermore, it is asserted that this conversion does not align with the constitutional requirement that areas with a population of less than three lakh should be classified as smaller urban areas and administered by municipal councils.
Earlier this year, the civic body was upgraded to a corporation, despite Jalna city in central Maharashtra having a population of approximately 2.25 lakh as per the 2011 census.