Pics by Sphoorty Ullal
The Hindu

Mangalore, Jun 10: Minister for Urban Development, Law and Parliamentary Affairs S. Suresh Kumar directed officials of the Mangalore City Corporation (MCC) not to renew trade licenses of those occupying areas in commercial buildings meant for parking.

Addressing officials at a review meeting here on Wednesday, Mr. Kumar said that notices should be served to those who had set up shops and business establishments in parking spaces, especially the basements of commercial buildings, before evicting them.

The Minister clarified that Section 112-C of the Karnataka Municipal Corporations Act, 1976, which deals with penalties on illegal buildings, is applicable for collection of property tax from owners of such buildings, who evade taxes.

The provision cannot be misused for allotting door numbers, supplying water and power connections, Mr. Kumar said.

Deputy Commissioner V. Ponnuraj warned against the “abuse” of provisions of Section 112-C. Its liberal use would “lay out the red carpet” for further violations, Mr. Kumar added.

MCC Commissioner K. N. Vijayaprakash said the civic body had entrusted a team from Shri Dharmasthala Manjunatheswara College of Business Management here to prepare a parking policy. The policy framework is expected to be ready in ten days, he added.

MCC staff

Mr. Vijayaprakash said that 456 sanctioned staff posts were vacant in the MCC. To this, the Minister asked the civic body to send a list of requirement to the Government.

Mr. Kumar suggested that the staff of the civic body could start wearing uniforms from August. Minister in-charge of Dakshina Kannada J. Krishna Palemar, Mayor Rajani Dugganna and Chairman of Mangalore Urban Development Authority B. Madhava Bhandary were present.