Udupi, Jan 10 (DHNS) : ''Strive to increase the income and resources in the local administrative bodies,'' Home Minister and District-in-Charge Minister Dr V S Acharya said. 

Addressing the members of the public after inaugurating the platinum jubilee celebrations of Udupi Town Municipality and the convention of local bodies of the district at the Mahatma Gandhi Stadium here on Saturday, Acharya said that all assets belong to municipalities should be identified properly and property tax should be collected promptly. “There is no need of increasing the property tax for buildings, houses, shops and other assets. But instead, local bodies can increase their income by collecting the existing tax efficiently,” he added.

It is quite natural that people often censure municipality officials. However, officials should not lose their patience while discharging their duty, Acharya advised. “I started my political career 42 years ago as a municipality member. Most of my dream projects including 24 hours water supply, proper road connectivity, cleanliness, streetlights and other facilites are being realised now,” he added.

MP D V Sadananda Gowda said that the local bodies should utilise government funds properly for the development of the town.  MLAs Raghupathi Bhat, Lalaji R Mendan, Lakshminarayana, MLC Kota Srinivasa Poojari, Town Municipality president Dinakara Shetty and Deputy Commissioner Hemalatha were present.