Mon Jul 14 17:12:55 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary of the text, followed by a news article rewrite:

**Summary:**

The Gujarat government has approved regulations to merge 127 Narmada rehabilitation settlements, created for people displaced by the Sardar Sarovar Dam, with their respective gram panchayats. This move will transfer responsibility for civic services like water, roads, and streetlights to the panchayats and improve residents’ access to welfare schemes. The merger is expected to be completed within two months, and the gram panchayats will gain the authority to collect taxes in these areas.

**News Article:**

**Gujarat Integrates Sardar Sarovar Rehabilitation Settlements into Gram Panchayats**

**Ahmedabad, July 14, 2025:** The Gujarat government has finalized plans to integrate 127 settlements established under the Sardar Sarovar Punarvasvat Agency (SSPA) with their corresponding gram panchayats. The decision, approved by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, marks a significant step in providing improved governance and access to services for residents displaced by the Sardar Sarovar Dam.

The integration will affect settlements across eight districts: Ahmedabad Rural, Vadodara, Bharuch, Kheda, Panchmahal, Narmada, Chhota Udepur, and Mahisagar. Under the new regulations, gram panchayats will assume responsibility for crucial civic infrastructure and services, including drinking water supply, road maintenance, street lighting, and drainage systems.

“This merger will streamline service delivery and ensure that residents of these settlements have access to the same welfare schemes as other citizens within the gram panchayat,” stated a government official. The Department of Panchayat, Rural Housing and Rural Development anticipates completing the integration process within the next two months.

While the SSPA will retain ownership of unallocated plots, all relevant records pertaining to the settlements will be transferred to the gram panchayats. Furthermore, schools, anganwadis, and health centers within the settlements will be handed over to the appropriate government departments. Residents will retain their voting rights and representation as per existing government provisions.

The gram panchayats will also be empowered to assess properties and collect taxes under the Gujarat Panchayats Act, 1993. The government has confirmed that these regulations will serve as the standard for future integration of remaining SSPA settlements.

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