As the by-polls for Secunderabad Cantonment approach, the Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) of the area have become proactive, drafting a citizens’ manifesto. This manifesto addresses numerous civic concerns, with the primary focus being the merger of SCB into the GHMC. Additionally, other key issues have been identified and prioritized, forming part of the manifesto that will be presented to the aspirants.
According to the most recent data from SCB, the constituency boasts a total of 2.5 lakh voters, with a significant portion, over half, falling within the age bracket of 30 to 49 years. A breakdown of voter demographics by age reveals 2,171 individuals aged 18 to 19 years, 29,347 in their 20s, and the highest count, 70,295, in their 30s. In terms of gender distribution, there are 124,245 male voters and 122,315 female voters, with an additional seven identifying as the third gender.
According to the RWAs of SCB, “The primary concern in Cantonment is the lack of development, particularly regarding infrastructure and various other issues. We believe that merging with GHMC would significantly alleviate many of the challenges faced by citizens. This key issue has been emphasized in our manifesto, and whenever candidates approach us, we encourage them to include these concerns in their party’s election manifesto. Additionally, we ensure that once a particular party comes into power, the issues submitted by the locals will be addressed and resolved.”
Nayeem Pasha, a resident of Rasoolpura, expressed concerns about the absence of a proper drainage system and the lack of land patta in their area. These issues have been highlighted in the manifesto to provide aspirants with a clear understanding of SCB. The aim is to ensure that the constituency’s concerns are effectively addressed once they are elected in the Assembly elections.
Janardhan Roa, a resident of SCB, mentioned that development in Secunderabad Cantonment has been consistently overlooked compared to other municipalities. Residents have had to endure prolonged waits for necessary actions and empty promises from political parties during each election cycle. To address this issue, they have devised a strategy to persistently highlight their grievances until they are resolved.
S Ravinder, general secretary of Vikas Manch and a resident of SCB, emphasized the lack of basic development in SCB despite being the second-largest cantonment board in the country. The only solution he sees is a merger with GHMC. Aspirants are urged to expedite the merger process when approaching residents. A voter awareness campaign is also planned to encourage people to exercise their right to vote and choose their leaders wisely.
