12 June 2024 Constitutional & Government >> Constitution & Law Procedure  

The Bombay High Court has directed the State Government to decide on the conversion of Pimpalgaon Baswant Gram Panchayat into a Municipal Council. This comes after a petition was filed challenging the delay in the final decision on the proposed conversion.

The process for conversion began in 2007 when the government issued a notification under the Maharashtra Municipal Councils, Nagar Panchayat and Industrial Townships Act, 1965. This notification invited objections from the public regarding the proposed conversion.

The Petitioner argued that the government had not reached a final decision despite receiving objections. The Court acknowledged that the government is not obligated to issue a final notification in favor of conversion. However, it emphasized the government's responsibility to consider the objections received and make a final decision.

In its order, the Court directed the government to:

• Review the objections submitted in response to the 2007 notification.
• Based on the objections, decide whether to issue a final notification for conversion.
• Complete this process within three months (by September 11, 2024) and communicate the decision to the Petitioner.

This court order ensures that the government considers the public's concerns before reaching a final decision on the conversion of Pimpalgaon Baswant Gram Panchayat into a Municipal Council.