The Malda district administration has recently formed a task force to look into a proposal for the expansion of English bazar municipality's jurisdiction and identify the contiguous rural areas which can be brought under the civic administration.

The decision was made following a directive from chief minister Mamata Banerjee. During her recent visit to Malda, she had spoken on the issue at an administrative review meeting.

As of now, there are two municipalities in the district — Englishbazar with 29 wards and a population of around 2.15 lakh and Old Malda with 16 wards and 1.25 lakh residents.

Krishnendu Narayan Chowdhury, the chairman of Englishbazar municipality, had approached the chief minister with a plan to include some areas of surrounding panchayats in the civic body's jurisdiction. Mamata endorsed it and asked the administration to take the necessary initiatives.

“We had a meeting with the district land and land reforms department, public works department and some other departments. Earlier, we had spoken on the issue with the civic authorities. At the meeting, the taskforce was constituted.It will submit its observations within a fortnight,” said Nitin Singhania, the district magistrate.

Choudhury, the civicchairman, has said the expansion is essential as Englishbazar has a high population density.

“Around 15,000 peoplelive in every square kilometre in the municipal area. Once the adjoining rural areas are included, people will have more space, which is necessary for healthy living. Also, residents of these areas can get benefits of civic services,” he said.

The BJP has welcomed the decision to expand the civic body’s jurisdiction but pointed out that the inclusion of rural areas would lead to the imposition of additional taxes onpeople who live in those locations.

“Funds are required for the expansion and we are not sure if the state, which is beleaguered with financial constraints, can spare funds. Also, with the inclusion of rural areas, economically weaker residents might find it difficult to bear additional taxes. These issues have to be kept in mind before any decision is made,” said Amlan Bhaduri, a BJP councillor and leader of the Opposition at the civic body.