Pics: Spoorthi Ullal

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SK)

Mangaluru, Jan 9: Former MLA J R Lobo slammed the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) administration for taking loan from Karnataka Urban Infrastructure Development and Finance Corporation (KUIDFC) for minor projects.

Addressing the media on Monday January 9, he said, “I have served as the commissioner at the MCC, as the project director at KUIDFC and also as Mangaluru south legislative assembly MLA. In 2021, the government did not provide any grants and all the development works were undertaken from the funds of the KUIDFC. The MCC has taken loan of Rs 27 crore from KUIDFC for 255 minor projects which I strongly condemn.

“Now the MCC is taking grants from KUIDFC for general work. Why do they need loans for small works such as building retaining walls and constructing storm water drains? We will not oppose if the MCC avail loans for major projects to be taken up in the city. I am totally against these loans that they have taken from KUIDFC. How will they return these grants back? When Congress will come back to power, for one year, we will not be able to do any kind of development because we have to return this loan that they have taken from KUIDF.

“I urge the administration of the MCC to take financial decisions in a responsible manner and have a long term vision. We earlier demanded white paper of the same, but they failed to provide it as the administration in the MCC and state have turned deaf,” he said.

Corporator Naveen D’Souza, Congress leaders J A Salim, Jacintha, Vishwas Kumar Das, Chandrakala, Shanthala Gatty and others were present.