Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (DV)
Mangaluru, Jun 28: A verbal confrontation erupted between Congress party corporators from the opposition and ruling BJP party councillors during a Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) meeting. The scuffle occurred after mayor Jayananda Anchan failed to consult the opposition regarding the ratification of the agenda concerning the construction of a Kabaddi and Kusthi stadium near Nehru Maidan.
Opposition leaders alleged that the Mayor proceeded with the ratification without informing them about the construction plans for the Kabaddi and Kusthi stadiums near Nehru Maidan. However, during the previous council meeting, the Mayor had ruled that the agenda's ratification would involve both opposition party leaders and athletics. Unfortunately, this did not happen.
In response, BJP party leaders claimed that the Football Association was invited to the meeting but did not attend.
BJP corporator Sudhir Shetty Kannur defended the Mayor's decision-making authority, stating that the Mayor has the ultimate power to make independent decisions.
Mayor Jayananda Anchan assured that a proper decision would be made after holding a meeting.
During the meeting, Corporator Naveen D'Souza reprimanded MCC officials for their inadequate measures to reduce mosquito breeding in the city. The number of Malaria and Dengue cases is increasing, and the officials were asked to provide detailed information to the council.
An MCC official responded, saying, "We are trying to control mosquito breeding through fogging in the city."
Congress corporators Shashidhar Hegde and Praveen Chandra Alva, along with BJP corporators, demanded that priority be given to local residents when recruiting civic workers for MCC.
Corporator Abdul Rauf alleged that there is no proper drainage system throughout the city and that several wet wells are non-functional.
Corporator Abdul Lathief also voiced his concerns during the meeting.
Corporator Sudhir Shetty Kannur complained about overflowing drains in the city, pointing out that contractors are reluctant to repair them due to delayed funds from the state government allocated for development works.
Mayor Anchan stated that a letter would be written to the government, urging the release of funds for development works. Until then, the city corporation will utilize the available general funds for city development. The newly appointed MCC commissioner will take appropriate action within two days.
An official mentioned that out of the 21 wet wells in the city, only three are currently operational.
Senior corporator Shashidhar Hegde criticized the lack of parking spaces in the rapidly developing Mangaluru City. He urged the Mangaluru City Corporation to address this issue, as commercial establishments are not permitted to park vehicles in front of their establishments. Seeking expert advice from the National Institute of Technology Karnataka (NITK) was proposed to manage traffic and resolve the ongoing congestion problem.
Corporator Sangeetha Nayak highlighted the issue of black pipes placed on road medians. This concern had been raised for two years in council meetings, but no action had been taken to remove them. Recently, a senior citizen fell on the road due to these pipes, prompting multiple corporators to raise the same issue.
In response, an official clarified that the pipes belonged to the GAIL company.
Mangaluru City Corporation commissioner C L Anand, deputy mayor Poornima and others were present in the meeting.