Stany Bela

Pics: Ahamed Bava

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Aug 13: While on one hand ordinary people have to wait for long periods of time to avail facilities and schemes provided by the government, due to setbacks in the system, an elected representative faces no such hurdles. When the government has provided facilities for a public servant to enjoy, such as house, vehicle and other facilities, it is not wrong to avail them. However, when these facilities are misused or unused, it is morally wrong as taxpayer’s money is used for such things. The Mangaluru Mayor’s bungalow is a classic example of taxpayer’s money gone waste.

When Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) was formed, there was a demand that Mayor needed a bungalow to reside. As per the decision of MCC, an exclusive bungalow was constructed for the Mayor near Mannagudda after spending lacs of rupees. However, the bungalow has not been serving any purpose as no Mayor has shown interest to stay here. Till today, this is one of the vacant buildings owned by MCC.

In 2015, Mayor Mahabala Marla decided to stay in this bungalow and renovated it spending another five lacs. But his stay lasted for only four days. After that again it was left vacant and its condition slowly dilapidated. In 2017, Mayor Kavita Sanil also spent a few lacs for its renovation. But she also did not show any interest to stay here. The air conditioner, fans and other expensive furniture installed here are now in a rundown condition due to non-use. There are vulgar write ups scribbled on the walls by some miscreants. At the same time, the compound of the bungalow looks unmaintained with bushes grown everywhere.

At present the two-bedroom bungalow has become a centre of illegal activities. The ganja peddlers and prostitution agents have supposedly made this bungalow their base. The doors of the bungalow are stolen and furniture from the rooms has disappeared.

“This bungalow is a clear example on how MCC is wasting the public money. It cannot maintain its own property, then how we can expect it to show concern towards the needs of the public? The current Mayor has blindly ordered to paint the building. Public wants know why the MCC again and again is spending money on the same building in the name of renovation? If no one resides there, why public money is wasted?” questions RTI activist Hanumantha Kamath.