Kolkata, 07 August (H.S.) : The West Bengal government has decided to increase the number of wards in the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) and the Howrah Municipal Corporation (HMC). A one-day special session of the State Assembly has been convened on August 12 to introduce an amendment Bill required for the proposed changes.

Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced that the number of wards in the Kolkata Municipal Corporation will be increased from 144 to 209, while the Howrah Municipal Corporation will see its wards rise from 50 to 68.

According to the state government, the increase in the number of wards will be followed by a fresh delimitation exercise, paving the way for the next round of municipal elections. The Chief Minister said the government aims to constitute elected boards in both civic bodies and hand over administrative responsibilities by December 7.

The proposal, however, has drawn criticism from opposition parties. They alleged that the government has bypassed the established democratic practice of publishing a draft delimitation plan and seeking objections and suggestions from political parties and other stakeholders before finalising the ward boundaries.

West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee president Shubhankar Sarkar has also sought a clarification from Kolkata Municipal Corporation Administrator and Commissioner Smita Pandey on whether political parties were consulted during the ward delimitation process.

With the amendment Bill scheduled to be tabled during the Assembly's special session, the issue of ward delimitation is expected to trigger a fresh political debate in the state.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh