Pics: Spoorthi Ullal

Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (DV)

Mangaluru, Sep 30: Newly-elected mayor of Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) Sudhir Shetty Kannur organised a phone-in programme to address the civic problems faced by the residents living under the limits of MCC here on Saturday, September 30 at his office in the MCC building.

The phone programme was held from 11 am to 12 pm. During the phone-in programme, over 20 complaints were regarding civic issues in the city.

Speaking to the media before the phone-in programme, the mayor said, "It is our aim to give a people-friendly administration by immediately responding to people's problems. If the general public is facing any sort of civic issue, they can contact the mayor directly to express their inconvenience. The administration will do the needful."

A caller Pramod Kottary Jeppu alleged that a building had been constructed without giving open space for the road as per the guidelines, on the way to Rudrabhoomi (Crematorium) in Jeppu. The mayor in response said that he would send town planning officials to the spot and take action as required.

Dayanand complained that several gas-filled tankers are halted at an open vacant land near the residential area of Kana and Bala and the drivers and cleaners of these tankers cook food using gas. “If fire accidents take place in these residential areas, who will be responsible for this?” he asked. In response, the mayor said, “Bala and Kana do not come under the MCC limits but the issue will be brought to the notice of Mangaluru traffic police.”

Prabhakar from police quarters, Shaktinagar alleged that the park near the police quarters does not have lights. Though the issue has been brought to the notice of the MCC several times, it has not yielded any positive results, he said.

Bhavish from State Bank demanded that the mayor hold the MCC meetings in Tulu language. “Gradually, the culture, language, and heritage of Tulunadu are declining. People who prepare eateries in Tulunadu are not getting good support. The MCC should support such people.” In reply, the mayor said that such vendors can avail a working capital loan of up to Rs 10,000 under the Pradhan Mantri Svanidhi Yojana. There will be subsidies too. In case there are such vendors who have not availed of this facility, they can approach the MCC, he said.

Mahabala from Surathkal complained that a scrap dealer, while erecting a political party's flag on the top of his shop, had encroached on a public road by dumping scrap. “On record, he can use only 1.5 cent of land for his business, but he has encroached half of the road creating problems for commuters,” he said.

The mayor also received complaints on the encroachment of footpaths by street vendors in several parts of the city. “The MCC should vacate them and make footpaths available for pedestrians to use," said many. Callers also complained that the edges of the concrete roads have not been clearly filled with mud. This is creating problems for two-wheelers riders.

Deputy mayor Sunitha, the ruling party chief whip at the council Premananda Shetty, and the MCC officials were present.