Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, May 11: The oft-repeated issue of Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP) came to the fore again, during the monthly general session of the city council held on Monday May 10 here. While the opposition corporators staged a dharna in protest against the state government and raised slogans deriding it, the corporators of the ruling party reacted by raising slogans hailing the state government headed by BJP.

Leader of the opposition, D K Ashok Kumar, who raised the topic immediately after the proceedings of the session began, questioned about the legitimacy of the concern shown by the city mayor and others, who had promised in the earlier session that steps would be taken to mitigate the hardships of the people within two weeks. He pointed out that the people continue to face hurdles in getting licences for building their houses in the city. Corporators like Shashidhar Hegde, Navin D’Souza, Harinath and Mariamma Thomas joined hands with Kumar.

When Sudhir Shetty, chairman of the city town planning and development standing committee, started to give clarifications, the corporators insisted on a reply from the mayor. Mayor, Rajani Dugganna, informed that a meeting had been convened at Bangalore, which was presided over by the minister for municipal administration, on April 28 and promised that the problems will be mitigated soon, as the state government has to follow procedures and pass orders. There was also an exchange of words between corporators of the two sides. Corporators, Shankar Bhat, James D’Souza, Tilakraj etc., condemned the over-reaction of the opposition corporators.

As adjournment did not ease the situation, whip Ranganath Kini, read out the minutes in the midst of uproar, and ended the session.

Deputy mayor, Rajendra Kumar, standing committee chairpersons, Roopa Bangera, Shanta R, Diwakar, MLA, N Yogish Bhat and commissioner, Dr Vijayaprakash, were present.