Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network- Mangaluru (VP)
Mangaluru, Mar 24: Former chairman of Mangaluru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) Ravishankar Mijar has slammed the incumbent MUDA over TDR bribe issues stating that the Congress-run state government is using Karnataka state as an ATM during elections.
Addressing media persons on Sunday, March 24 at Mallikate BJP office, Ravishankar Mijar said "Mansoor Ali and other brokers have been arrested by the police and that is known to all in the media. In February, we issued TDR guidelines but they never materialised. On March 13, the police forcefully entered the office and locked the entry while subjecting everyone to an inspection. They even claimed that bags of money had been found. But when Mansoor Ali came the money was nowhere to be as it may have got diverted."
He further charged that, "Congress said it is busy bringing about changes but, in actually reality the party is behind money. During the elections Karnataka State has become an ATM and the officers are giving money to the government which should be investigated. I have served as chairman for 3 years and within a week I set up a 'help desk' due to which people got the right information. We used to convene meetings to know the goings-on. When BJP ruled and while giving TDR it was ensured that there was no problem for people. Whenever a family would give their land for road construction we felicitated them and awarded them TDR but, today it's the opposite and we are feeling sad about this."
When media persons queried about the presence of middlemen and the steps taken during his tenure at MUDA against them, he said MUDA had issues of middlemen in MUDA. Ravishankar Mijar said, "Yes, we have tried and everyone should try. I have established a help desk for the people. When someone comes for the first time, the middlemen understand their confusion and try to 'help' them. But, now people can directly go to the help desk and seek proper information."
Regarding the online functioning of MUDA's official procedures and processes, Ravishankar Mijar said "There is a separate system and for the first time in Mangaluru, I have brought it."
On the tenure of TDR, Ravishankar said,"There is nothing in holding TDR. It should be resolved and given back to people as soon as possible."
Ramesh, Lalesh, Radhakrishna and others were present on the occasion.