Pics: Meryick D'Silva
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (JS)

Mangaluru, Apr 29: The council meeting of Mangaluru City Corporation was held at Mangala auditorium on Tuesday April 28. Mayor Jacinta Alfred chaired the meeting.

Opposition members alleged that MCC is collecting more taxes from people but the service provided to them is disappointing. Opposition member, Sudhir Shetty said, "Even small houses are asked to pay Rs 480 as garbage management tax. The poor people are facing problems and tax for garbage management is beyond their means. On the other hand Antony waste management is not collecting the waste regularly and in a systematic way".

Replying to the the allegation Shashidar Hegde said that a meeting would be called chaired by the mayor with opposition leaders and a suitable decision would be taken on the this at the earliest.

Solid waste management

Corporator Aziz, Vijay Kumar Shetty raised concern about Antony waste management not collecting waste regularly from houses, the dust bins are still there, and streets and roadsides are not being swept. They also said that Antony waste management is saying that they have not recieved payment.

Other corporators too joined in, and alleged poor service from the company. Some contractors said door-to-door collection agents are not even getting down from the vehicle and people are unaware of the waste collection time-table.

In reply, MCC commissioner Hephsiba Rani Korlapati said, "We have paid 58 percent of the amount, that is workers salary and fuel expenses. We will take neccesary action if this continues the same way".

Misappropriation of tax by Mangalore One

Ex Mayor Mahabala Maarla said "What has happened to the projects proposed during my term like E toilets in the city ? Even now digital water meters are not implemented and there is revenue loss by this. Computerization at corporation has also not been done. What has been done regarding the misapropriation of tax by Mangalore One? Where is revenue going?"

Additional commissioner Raju Mogaveer said " When we raided the Mangalore one, we found misapropriation of tax money. They have only given reciepts but not entered details in computers."

MLC Ivan D'souza said "The misappropriation of revenue is not a small thing. A high level of investigation needs to be done. Collection of tax should be done by directly paying it in the bank in the way they collect in Bangaluru."

MCC commissioner Hephsiba Rani Korlapati said, "It is clear that there is some misappropriation and we will investigate it. We have discussed this with DMA director in a meeting held at Bangaluru and we will take necessary action."

Town Hall renovation

The opposition BJP members raised concern over the slow renovation work of Town Hall. MCC opposition member Premananda Shetty said, "If you cannot renovate the town hall, then rearrange the old chairs lying there. We will wait until you renovate it. At least now people can use it."

In response, Hephsiba Korlapati said, "Town hall is a classic example to tell us that an estimate should be done properly. The work is delayed by 3 months but now we will call for a short tender and finish the work at the earliest."

MLC Ivan D'souza said "Town hall is a herritage of Mangaluru. It needs to be done at the earliest. It is serious matter and quick action needs to be taken in this regard".

'Ruling passed by mayor are not implemented by officials'

Many BJP members and most of the other members including from congress blamed that the rulings passed by the mayor are not being implemented by officials and they seeked reply from officials why this was happening.

Corporators' complaints against commissioner

Council member Rathikala said "The commissioner is not giving the respect that corporators deserve. The attender was given notice for allowing her inside the commissioners chamber and not listening to our grievances". BJP member Jayanthi Achar and many other council members also agreed on this and they too said even they have experienced this kind of treatment from commissioner.

Mayor Jacintha Alfred said "Council members need to be given the respect that they deserve and it is unfortunate that such thing has occurred and this will not be repeated."

Harinath, president of works committee said "I have been a member of this council from 1984 and I have seen many commissioners. They have done great job. We have Rs 180 crore in corporation and even then work is not happening. What is the reason for this? None of the commissioners or deputy commissioners until now have asked us to meet with appointment. We have to answer people. If works do not happen then how can we answer them?"

Protest by corporators for including the Rs 15 lacs corporators fund in 2014-15 budget

The commissioner denied to sanction the amount of various works conducted in corporators fund as there was minus budget. She said that it would be included in 2015-16 budget. For this corporators protested against the commissioners and finally commissioner sanctioned the amount on various works.

Other issues regarding roads, water supply and drainage system were discussed at the meeting.

Purushotham Chitrapura deputy mayor was also present in the meeting.