Nerunjalkudi residents oppose merger of their village with Tiruchi Corporation fearing loss of benefits of job scheme-OxBig News Network

Residents of Nerunjalkudi near Lalgudi on Friday resorted to a road roko on the Tiruchi-Chidambaram National Highway, protesting against the merger of their village panchayat with the Tiruchi Corporation.

Nerunjalkudi is among the 22 village panchayats in Tiruchi district which have been provisionally merged with the Corporation. However, the residents strongly opposed the move and blocked the highway as mark of their protest.

The protesters, mostly women, raised slogans against the State government, stating that the decision would not augur well for their panchayat. The decision would force them to pay higher property tax.

Stating that most of the residents were dependent on the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, the protesters said they would become ineligible for the scheme.

On information, the Revenue and police personnel rushed to the spot and held talks with the protesters. The officials explained that the merger decision was just provisional, the affected people could lodge their opposition to the Principal Secretary, Department of Municipal Administration and Water Supply, within six weeks. The demand of the people would be taken up with the State government. Following this, the protesters withdrew the protest and dispersed from the spot.