Sorake pays surprise visit to MCC, asks to prepare Greater Mangalore report
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (EP)
Mangalore, Sep 4: Urban development minister Vinay Kumar Sorake paid a surprise visit to Mangalore City Corporation on Tuesday September 3.
Sorake asked the city commissioner Ajith Kumar Hegde to prepare the greater Mangalore project report within the next fifteen days. He checked the files and spoke to the reporters after his meeting with the officials in the corporation.
The MLAs have already held a meeting with minister Abhaychandra Jain and have decided to include Moodbidri, Mulki, Bajpe and Gurpur under Mangalore city corporation. Health and family welfare minister U T Khadar has taken a unanimous decision to make Ullal and Konaje a part of the corporation. In this respect, and after taking into consideration the likely population in 2040, a report regarding the requirement of basic facilities and developments will be submitted by the corporation to minister Sorake.
On the Kudcemp project, he said it has not been completed in Mangalore and water supply work is pending. The second stage of the project will be implemented in Mangalore, Kundapur, Udupi and Puttur. The second stage of Naarm project will also be implemented to join markets etc in the city. The second stage of JNR work will be done in Mangalore on the lines of the second stage of work in Mysore and Bangalore.
He further said that there are several people staying in government land after building houses for the last fifteen years. They are passing the days without ownership papers. The problems will be solved under section 94c of the law and the ownership papers will be distributed to them. The minister suggested the corporation to think about increase in the tax on industries instead of increasing the rates of water and wealth tax after the mayoral election.
Suggestion to form ward committees
Ward committees are necessary in order to obtain government aid. Minister Sorake suggested establishing ward committees in every ward, ward meeting and resident welfare committees.
He said that there are 1041 vacancies in the corporation and they will be filled in stages. The move will avoid contract system and the possibility of the corporation falling in the control of contractors.
Release of funds to MCC
An amount of Rs 100 crore has already been released to the MCC and Rs 15 crore out of Rs 100 crore assistance in the second phase has also been released. The remaining amount will be released soon, Sorake said.
Besides providing for transport, the JNR project will also help to build bus shelters. The amount for it will also be released soon. The water supplied from Lakya dam will be useful for industries if not for drinking purposes.
Training for corporation staff
The elected representatives are concentrating on facilities to the people of their electorate. In order to widen their horizon, corporators will be trained in Bangalore. The training will help them to avail of central and state assistance and take interest in the World Bank. It will also help avoid corruption and improve competency.
The minister who visited unexpectedly warned the officials of action if they do not respond to people’s needs.
He said that he has to be provided with the details of files pending and the time required for their clearance during his next visit. The staff should be punctual and should record their presence. The grievances of the officials will also be attended to, he said.