Guv clears Dharwad civic split proposal with conditions

Dharwad: Karnataka governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot has given conditional approval to the proposal for formation of a separate Dharwad Municipal Corporation and returned the file to the state govt for further action, placing the ball firmly in the govt’s court regarding the bifurcation of the existing Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation.The state govt issued an order on April 28, 2025, proposing the division of the Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation and creation of an independent civic body for Dharwad. The proposal was subsequently sent to the governor for assent. However, approval remained pending for several weeks, triggering intensified protests in Dharwad. Delegations also met the governor seeking immediate clearance.With the governor now responding to the proposal, activists believe the prolonged uncertainty has ended, and that the dream of a separate corporation for Dharwad could soon become a reality if the govt acts swiftly.The governor, however, has attached certain conditions while clearing the proposal. According to the directions, the bifurcation notification can come into effect only after the completion of the tenure of the existing elected civic body. Further, citing instructions from the Directorate of Census Operations, the governor has stated that existing municipal boundaries should not be altered until the census process is completed.The governor has also advised the state govt to ensure adequate financial assistance and equitable revenue distribution between the proposed Hubballi and Dharwad corporations before implementing the division. The file has now been sent back to the govt for necessary action.A copy of the governor’s approval letter was handed over to leaders of the separate corporation movement on Tuesday by BJP functionary and former mayor Shivu Hiremath.Speaking on the occasion, agitation leader BD Hiremath said the Directorate of Census Operations instructed that existing boundaries should not be altered between Jan 1, 2026, and March 31, 2027, in view of the census exercise. He stated that the governor responsibly shifted the matter back to the state govt and urged leaders of both Congress and BJP to work together to give final approval to the proposal.Protest to continueBD Hiremath asserted that the movement for a separate Dharwad municipal corporation will continue until the govt formally completed the process. “The ball is now in the govt’s court. The govt must show the same seriousness and resolve the issue at the earliest. Until then, our agitation will continue,” he said.