Central government ready to merge Daman in Gujarat, but people opposing: MoS home

SURAT: Haribhai Chaudhary, union minister of state for home has said that the Central government is all prepared to merge the union territory of Daman and Diu in Gujarat, but has step back due to the opposition from the residents.
Chaudhary said this during his visit at the union territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli on Tuesday.
It was before Diwali festival last year, the opposition members led by Congress had raised the issue of possible move of the Central Government to merger of Daman in Gujarat following the visit of Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel.
The Gujarat CM visited Silvassa and Daman during her three days long stay and conduct a series of meetings with the key officials including the administrator of the Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.
The Congress leaders led by Ketan Patel, chief of Daman Municipal Council had carried out protest programmes in Daman to oppose the move of the Central Govenrment to merge Daman in Gujarat.
During his day’s visit on Tuesday, Chaudhary said, “The Government of India is in favour of merging Daman in Gujarat, but the people of Daman are opposing it. So, we have stalled the move”
Chaudhary also pointed out that many social and political groups in Daman have demanded the appointment of Lieutenant Governor, but the Govenrment of India is yet to take any decision in this regard.
Chaudhary, however, asked the Administrator of Daman and Dadra and Nagar Haveli to reserve one hour for meeting the people of his regions and solve the issues faced by them.
“All the senior officers in Daman and Silvasssa administration must go and visit the offices of their subordinates once in a week for better coordination of work. When a file is received by the officer, he should not delay the work beyond a fortnight” said Chaudhary.