Mangalore: Budget, Water Crisis Dominate MCC General Body Meeting
 
Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (PS)
 
Mangalore, Mar 31: The general body meeting of Mangalore City Corporation was held at the council hall on Saturday March 31 amidt chaos and heated debates.
 
As soon as the meeting began, former mayor Shankar Bhat raised the issue of the budget presented by mayor Gulzar Banu on Friday March 30.

Bhat questioned commissioner Harish Kumar whether majority has any value in democracy as the budget was approved by mayor without consulting BJP corporators who are the majority in MCC.

Former mayor Shashidhar Hegde countered Bhat stating that one-third of the members were present, and thus the budget proposal carried legal weight. He also pointed out that when election for the president of two standing committees were held, BJP corporators boycotted both.
 
However, after heated debate on the budget, independent corporator Jayanthi raised the issue of acute drinking water problem in several wards. Corporator Aziz Kudroli also joined in.
 
In his reply, commissioner Harish Kumar said that water level in Thumbay dam has gone down due to lack of water inflow as catchment areas did not receive rain. Also, evaporation of water due to scorching heat has added to decrease in water level. "However, regular monitoring of water level at Thumbay dam is on," he added.
 
On the possibility of water being channeled from Lakya dam to Mangalore City Corporation, a matter raised by Shankar Bhat, commissioner Harish Kumar said that though the case was cleared by the Supreme Court, KIOCL agreed to supply 6 mgd of water but on the condition that 4 mgd water should be supplied for KIOCL itself. Hence, that proposal was rejected by MCC, he said.
 
Though heated debate on water issue ruled today's MCC general meeting, later the mayor instructed opposition leader Lancelot Pinto to read out minutes of the meeting. However, BJP corporators who are the majority did not give their consent. Hence at the end, commissioner said another meeting will be convened.