Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SB)
Mangaluru, Jun 27: MCC Civic Group, a public forum that is actively involved in creating awareness and taking up civic issues that require attention, on Tuesday June 27 said that it has filed a public interest litigation (PIL) against the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) for not forming the much-needed ward committees.
Addressing a press meet here, member of the MCC Civic Group Nigel Albuquerque said, "Ward committees are a pre-requisite for cities which come under the Smart City project. Mangalore City Corporation (MCC) has failed to form ward committees in its 60 wards.
"The state of Karnataka mandated by Article 243s of the Constitution of India read with Section 13H of Karnataka Municipal Corporations Act, 1976 clearly states that every municipal corporation has to form ward committees. But here, the appointed representatives are not bothered. This will block general public’s participation in local administration. We have requested the MCC repeatedly, but there is no response from them. So now, we will now begin a legal fight against the MCC.”
"The Directorate of Municipal Administration, Karnataka had issued a circular on February 18 this year to the commissioner of MCC to submit a report regarding KMC Act 1976. But the commissioner has not taken any steps to form ward committees. Establishment of ward committees will lead to public participation in governance and thereby inculcate transparency and accountability in local government bodies. This is one of the reasons why the corporators and the administration are not interested in forming ward committees," he added.
"In this regard, we have already issued a pre-litigation statutory legal notice to the concerned departments. Shortly, we will send a reminder notice. We will also submit public interest litigation (PIL) in this regard," he concluded.
Social workers Gerard Towers, Ajoy D’Silva and Padmanabha Ullal were present.
Activist Vidya Dinker thanks state govt for amendment of KIAD Act, 1966
In a separate press meet, social activist Vidya Dinker, coordinator of Karavali Karnataka Janabhivrudhi Vedike and Krishibhoomi Samrakshana Samithi lauded the state government’s decision to amend the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Act, 1966 and thanked chief minister Siddaramaiah and law minister T B Jayachandra for their efforts.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, June 27 she said, "The high court of Karnataka has declared KIAD Act, 1966 as invalid. But, Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) and Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited (MRPL) are not following the order of the HC. MRPL sent notices to farmers for land acquisition in Mangaluru. They also tried to threaten farmers from Permude and Kuttetur villages with the help of police."
"Thus we, members of Karavali Karnataka Janabhivrudhi Vedike and Krishibhoomi Samrakshana Samithi met the CM and the law minister to explain what was happening in Mangaluru. The CM directed the deputy commissioner of the district to send him a report on the situation. But the DC delayed and did not send any report. But we succeeded in explaining the situation to the CM," she informed.
"KIADB and MRPL already have industrial land. They are not interested in utilising that land. We met the DC several times and brought this to his notice, but did not receive positive response from him. KIADB and MRPL decided to acquire the land without consulting the land owners. But now, they cannot go forward with the acquisition. The cabinet has upheld the court’s order," she added.
Committee members Madhukar Amin, Lawrence D’Cunha, Hemalatha S Bhat and Bhoja Shettigar were present.