Jamshedpur: As the state government mulls East Singhbhum district administration's draft on areas in Jamshedpur under industrial township served by Tata Steel and others under the municipal corporation, most residents used to a certain standard of urban amenities provided by the steel-maker dread coming under a corporation.

If the draft is cleared, an overwhelming majority of residents who have enjoyed Tata civic services for decades will come under the corporation.

Under the proposal, industrial township will only comprise worksites of Tata Group companies, residential areas of company employees and Bistupur market. Jamshedpur Municipal Corporation will cater to a nearly 10-lakh population, divided into three broad zones, eastern (Birsanagar, Golmuri, Bagunhatu, Bagunnagar), western (Sonari, Kadma, Shastrinagar and Ranikudar) and central (Sakchi, Kasidih, Rajendra Nagar and, Baradwari).

This issue gains momentum as September 7, a date given by the Supreme Court to the state government on the matter, is nearing. The Supreme Court had disposed of the case in December 2016 saying that both state government and Tata Steel should work out the formation of industrial township and municipal corporation as mutually agreed by them and inform the apex court. As the government did not respond, a three-member bench of Supreme Court served a notice to Jharkhand government on July 13, 2018, and sought reply within eight weeks (September 7).

Recently, Jamshedpur West MLA Saryu Roy told this paper that a public consensus on areas under industrial township and corporation should be arrived to prevent bad blood later.

Roy may have a point as The Telegraph, which did an informal survey on citizen's preferences, found out most people wanted Tata Steel amenities.

Suresh Sonthalia, Bistupur-based trader and former president Singhbhum Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), said he wanted industrial township status for Jamshedpur. "The Tatas give better quality civic facilities in terms of water, electricity, roads and solid waste management. I doubt if we could get the same quality under an elected municipal body. Look at Ranchi. Despite vast funds, we can see the poor state of civic facilities in the capital," he said.

Agreed Anil Tiwary, Bhuiyandih advocate and general secretary Jamshedpur Bar Association. "We have seen this contrast. Elected civic bodies seem mired in red tapism and inefficiency."

Principal of Motilal Nehru Public School Ashu Tiwary agreed that the quality of Tata Steel civic services was superior but said the corporate could partner the municipal corporation to widen the outreach of superior amenities.

"Tata Steel does fabulous work in its outreach area. But, many non-Tata Steel areas are deprived of those facilities. I would like the municipal corporation and Tata Steel to work hand in hand, collaborating rather than competing, to ensure a win-win situation for all," Tiwary, a resident of Circuit House Area in Bistupur, said.

But, Sonari's Jawaharlal Sharma, a civil rights activist who filed a PIL in Supreme Court against the state government over delay in forming a Jamshedpur Municipal Corporation, said he wanted a civic body.

"A corporation would lead to our third voting right and open doors for central funds. An elected civic body is also enshrined in the constitution. Tata Steel utility wing Jusco can always provide water and electric supply by charging rates fixed by urban department."

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