Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)
Udupi, Jul 30: Poor maintenance of street lights and construction of illegal buildings in the city were the issues which dominated the general meeting at City Municipal Council (CMC), here on Saturday July 30.
Sumithra Nayak and other opposition party members raised the issue of poor service of the Janahita Service Centre, introduced by the state government. She also claimed that they take a long time to rectify a problem that has been registered with them. Poor people do not have knowledge of its existence, she claimed.
Some of the opposition party councilors pressurized the council to cancel the contract of maintenance of street lights. The opposition party councilors and a Congress councilor staged a dharna in the well of the house for a while and demanded an immediate solution to the irregular maintenance of street lights.
Ramesh Kanchan, ruling party councilor criticized their act alleging that they are doing it for political gain.
After a long heated discussion between the two parties, CMC commissioner D Manjunathayya convinced the members saying, "It is our duty to redress public problems. I have issued a notice thrice and have asked for three months time to revive the matter. The contract company is working on a proper schedule chart for 35 wards. They have attended to 3642 cases in July, 3467 cases have been solved in the first month alone and 862 fresh cases have been received. The problems at MCC have been continuing for the past five years."
"There are 60 dedicated staff at MRC (Municipal Reforms Cell) and 5-6 staff handling one district. There is need to create awareness about the Janahita service. If the problems are not solved, I will think off an alternate solution," he assured.
"A 4G Airtel tower was installed at Beedinagudde in May, without bringing it to the notice of the City Council, here. The standing committee president signed a permission letter without consulting either the commissioner or the president," highlighted M R Pai, senior BJP leader.
"After the discussion, the council decided to seize the airtel tower and has imposed a fine of three months on the company," said Manjunathayya.
Ramesh Kanchan urged the council administration to make a list of all illegal buildings, flex banners and to take immediate action on violators.
Amrith Krishnamurthy councilor said, "There are pits within the municipality area filled with polluted water. The condition of the roads is very pathetic and potholes can be found everywhere."
"CMC has to first focus on keeping the surroundings clean and healthy, before taking up any developmental works," he added.
Meenakshi Bannanje, CMC president and Sandhya Tilakraj, vice president were present.