The five villages that will be absorbed in the Vadodara city limits -- should the decision be okayed and implemented -- are Bapod, Tarsali, Kalali, Sama and Harni.

Ever since December 22, when the Government approved in principle the inclusion of 21 villages, most of the villages had protested on the grounds that the Vadodara Municipal Corporation would not succeed in providing them civic amenities, since it had not been able to properly service areas that had been included in the city limits in 1975.

The Vadodara Municipal Corporation had initially intended to include 21 villages, including Chhani, Undera, Vemali, Karachia, Bajwa and Tarsali, in the civic limits. This radius, according to Assistant Municipal Commissioner (Revenue) R P Yagnik, would bring the mega industrial units around the city into the VMC net.

He claimed that this move, which would earn the Vadodara Municipal Corporation more revenue, was only justified, since the Vadodara Municipal Corporation was providing amenities to the families of the industrialists and their employees, who lived in the city.

In view of the protests of the villages, the Vadodara Municipal Corporation had held a series of talks with 20 villages in April. Chhani, Ranoli, Dashrath, Vemali and Sama subsequently obtained injunctions against inclusion in the city limits.

Talking to reporters today, Yagnik said they had reached the conclusion there was no point in bringing villagers within the city against their will.

Also, sources said, even if octroi was abolished, the Vadodara Municipal Corporation would not suffer a loss by including just five more villages.

According to Yagnik, including the five villages would cover the bypass outside the city, which would help check octroi evasion. Municipal Commissioner G R Aloria's proposal also suggests that the government should ensure the Vadodara Municipal Corporation get a certain amount of the industries' turnover as contribution towards development.

In connection with the assurance given earlier by Industries Minister Suresh Mehta, the administration has also suggested the State government ask the GIDC, which charges in the notified areas, contribute towards the development of the city.

The proposal will be discussed in the Standing Committee meeting, which is scheduled to be held on Friday.