2 days ago
Narmada settlements to be brought under respective gram panchayats
The Gujarat government has finalised regulations to merge settlements under the Sardar Sarovar Punarvasvat Agency (SSPA) with the respective gram panchayats.
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has approved the proposal, paving the way for integrating 127 Narmada rehabilitation settlements – housing people displaced by the Sardar Sarovar dam – located across 26 taluks in eight districts with the gram panchayats concerned, officials said on Monday (July 14, 2025).
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The move is set to benefit settlements in Ahmedabad Rural, Vadodara, Bharuch, Kheda, Panchmahal, Narmada, Chhota Udepur, and Mahisagar districts. Under the approved framework, the gram panchayats will now assume responsibility for key civic infrastructure and services in these settlements, including drinking water, internal and approach roads, streetlights, electricity bills, rainwater drainage, and general maintenance of public amenities.
Better access
The Department of Panchayat, Rural Housing and Rural Development, which presented the integration work plan, stated that the merger process is expected to be completed within two months. Once merged, residents of the settlements will be able to access welfare schemes through their respective gram panchayats as per existing norms, significantly improving their access to public services, officials said.
While the SSPA will retain ownership of unallocated plots in the settlements, all relevant records will be transferred to the gram panchayats. Additionally, schools, anganwadis, and health centres in the settlements will be handed over to the relevant departments, the government said.
Voting rights and representation of settlement residents will be ensured in accordance with the existing government provisions. 'The gram panchayats will also be empowered to assess properties and collect applicable taxes and levies under the Gujarat Panchayats Act, 1993,' they said
The government has clarified that these rules will serve as the standard for future integration of the remaining SSPA settlements. A formal resolution to this effect has been issued by the Department of Panchayat, Rural Housing and Rural Development under the guidance of Mr. Patel.
