Mathura-Vrindavan merger move to be reviewed

 

Mathura  DECEMBER 3, 2014

 

The Mathura-Vrindavan merger move for creating a new municipal corporation, is likely to be reviewed, according to Mathura MLA and Congress party leader in the assembly Pradeep Mathur.

 

Talking to TOI, Mathur said he has had discussions with the chief secretary Alok Ranjan and the urban development minister Azam Khan who have agreed to reconsider the proposal.

 

Mathur also met the UP chief minister to present him two memorandums reflecting the public opinion in Vrindavan and the media reports against the merger move. "I told the chief minister that the merger was not warranted, as Vrindavan had a unique identity of its own in the world. Rather the local body can be upgraged to A level. The place of Vrindavan is special in mythology and history, and it should not be diluted. The chief minister agreed and promised to get the whole issue re-examined." A decision will not be taken in a hurry and without consultations with the stake holders, Mathur added.

 

After the move for merger of Vrindavan and dozens of villages in Goverdhan area with Mathura was published in newspapers, there was a hue and cry in Vrindavan and all sections of public opinion almost unanimously opposed the move. The saints of Vrindavan and the culture-activists said Vrindavan enjoyed a special heritage status with its own unique identity.

 

Activists in Vrindavan expressed relief and welcomed the chief minister's assurance to the Congress MLA to review the initiative.