Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Oct 1: In spite of stiff opposition from the opposition corporators, the council meeting of the city corporation here took a decision to serve a week’s ultimatum to Ullal municipality to clear its dues of Rs 1,60,43,500.  It was decided to cut drinking water supply to Ullal in case of its failure to clear the dues within this time frame.

The city council meeting, which was chaired by mayor of the city, Pravin, was held on Friday September 30 at the corporation’s council hall. Moving the plan of action, chief whip, Sudhir Shetty Kannur, said that Ullal municipality, which has been drawing water from January 1, 2010 onwards from the Padil reservoir of the city, has failed to pay anything other than Rs 10 lac, or to respond to repeated warnings. Even after a meeting was held in the presence of the district deputy commissioner, the municipality has defaulted and mounting arrears have become a cause for concern, he explained.

Speaking on the occasion, former city mayor, Shankar Bhat, noted that Mulky town panchayat has entered into an agreement with the corporation and has been paying bills promptly. He noted that Ullal neither has entered an agreement nor paying the dues.

The issue of improper street lights consumed some time of the meeting, before the city commissioner assured to take action. Opposition parties also expressed their strong reservations against the idea of involving builders in creating ‘Beautiful Mangalore’ as envisaged by minister, Krishna Palemar. Former mayor, Shashidhar Hegde, wanted the builders to develop one road each in all the 60 wards, free of cost voluntarily.

Relating to flagrant violation of building rules, city commissioner instructed officials to conduct spot inspections immediately after the foundation of a building is laid. He said that the officials will be held responsible if violation of rules was found at the completion level of the buildings.