Pics: Abhijith N Kolpe
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)
Mangaluru, Oct 19: Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) opposition leader Abdul Rauf said that the BJP did not sanction any new project for MCC and yet take credit and inaugurate the development works done by Congress government.
Addressing media here on Monday October 19, Rauf dismissed the allegations made by Mangaluru South MLA Vedavyasa Kamath during the inauguration of Alake market that Congress has laid the foundation stone of markets just for the sake of elections.
He said, "Criticisms are common in politics. However, it is a false allegation made by the MLA. For the Alake market which was inaugurated, the tender was given and DPR was done at Rs 1 crore in the year 2017. We have laid the foundation stone for eight markets in the city out of which few were inaugurated and some works are in progress.
"It has been almost three years since MLA's tenure. During his term, no new project has been allotted. The work which is now in progress such as UGD, footpath and road widening is from the Congress’ tenure. In the year 2017, we had undertaken 87 development works worth Rs 121 crore for which an action plan has been done and sanctioned in the council. We speak based upon the proof and documents pertaining to development works.
"BJP is taking credit for the works sanctioned during Congress tenure which gives wrong message to the public,” he said.
Former mayor Shashidhar Hegde said, "During the inauguration of Alake market, the MLA had said that steps will be taken to upgrade the Alake market. Before taking steps to upgrade the Alake market, let him first improve the conditions at central market as it is a reputed market of the city. Sudden decisions were taken to close down the market without making any alternative arrangements.
“The Smart City concept is not about UGD, footpath and roads. Smart City is all about developing tourism, basic facilities for the public, economic development. But here the Smart City project is completely a failure,” he said.