Governor gives conditional approval to bifurcation of HDMC

Now, on the direction of the Governor, Special Secretary to the Governor R. Prabhushankar has returned the HDMC bifurcation file to the State Government for necessary action. | Photo credit: FILE PHOTO

Even as the agitation for a new municipal corporation for Dharwad entered its 12th day on Tuesday, Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot gave conditional approval to a proposal sent by the state government to split the Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation to form municipal corporations for Dharwad and Hubballi.

In his letter dated May 26, the Governor said that after studying the proposal and considering the legal opinion provided by the Additional Attorney General of India on May 25, he approved the state government’s proposal with conditions.

He stated that since Article 243 U of the Constitution provides for a five-year term of office for elected bodies, the notification of division will be effective only after the end of the term of office of the existing elected body.

And in light of the Census Bureau’s restriction not to change any existing administrative unit boundaries until the census is completed, this announcement will take effect after the census restrictions are completed, the governor said.

The governor also advised the state government to take all necessary steps to ensure that adequate financial assistance and revenue sharing are available in favor of both the new companies.

Acting on the Governor’s direction, Special Secretary to the Governor R. Prabhushankar returned the file to the State Government for necessary action.

Published – 26 May 2026 21:16 IST