A large number of residents from 18 villages along the Girivalam path near the Arunachaleswarar temple have asked the Tiruvannamalai Corporation to abandon plans to merge their villages into the civic body as part of its extended areas. The residents said the merger has steadily increased local taxes on property, water and other basic facilities. They also said they are unable to get work under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) because of the merger. R. Vasuki, a resident, said many agricultural workers in the villages used the scheme to supplement their income, but after the merger such work is not being allotted to them. The residents' request highlights concerns over the impact of the merger on rural livelihoods and local taxes.